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Abstract

China’s rise as a global power has been one of the most significant events in the 21st century, with their economy growing from $360 billion to $18.1 trillion in just 30 years. This unprecedented level of growth has allowed China to begin enforcing its own national goals and ambitions on its regional part of the world in the South China Sea. In response to this rise the U.S. has taken a keen interest in the events unfolding in the South China Sea which has placed them direct competition with China. This dissertation’s purpose is to investigate and provide insight on whether this competition is a result of Chinese actions. This research was collected through the use of government published documents and news articles reporting on various topics of importance surrounding issues and events in the South China Sea. Reasons for the U.S’s involvement in the South China Sea have been in direct response to Chinese ambitions in the South China Sea which have in the last 30 years grown exponentially more aggressive, the recipients of this aggressive actions have been felt most by their regional neighbours, who are now having their territory illegally taken and militarised against them by China. Following this quick and hostile rise to the forefront of global politics the U.S. has declared China the only nation that has the power and ability to challenge the global order and has now taken a direct response to their actions in the South China Sea. With these two global powers on the path to conflict analysing and evaluating why it has reached this level of tension can help determine if the future between the two nations will be one of cooperation or conflict.

Course: International Relations - MA - P2929FTD

Date Deposited: 2024-02-02

URI/permalink: https://library.port.ac.uk/dissert/dis14351.html