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China's Maritime Security and the “Malacca Dilemma”

2008; Taylor & Francis; Volume: 4; Issue: 2 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1080/14799850802006555

1555-2764

Marc Lanteigne,

Economic Zones and Regional Development

Abstract Abstract As maritime trading becomes an increasingly important element of the modern Chinese economy, concerns in Beijing are being raised about the safety of vital sea lanes. Central to this thinking has been Hu Jintao's explanation of the “Malacca Dilemma” in late 2003, which describes the problem of sea routes crucial to China's trade, especially the Malacca Straits, being subject to interdiction from another state. At the same time, the international war on terror has also raised the specter of economic terrorism aimed at disrupting commerce via the Straits. Due to the complex nature of these potential threats, there is the temptation for China to address the “Dilemma” unilaterally as the country modernizes its naval forces. However, it remains in Beijing's interests to work both with littoral states and other great powers in ensuring greater security in the Malacca region. The author would like to thank the British Academy, London and the Universities' China Committee in London (UCCL) for their invaluable financial support during the researching and writing of this article. Thanks as well to researchers and scholars in China who were of great assistance during my fieldwork there, and to the International Studies Association (ISA) which provided a forum for the presentation of an earlier draft of this article. Notes 1. Shi Hongtao, “Energy Security Runs Up against the ‘Malacca Dilemma’: Will China, Japan and Korea Cooperate?” (), Zhongguo qingnian bao [China Youth Daily], June 15, 2004. Available at http://business.sohu.com. 2. Shawn W. Crispin, “Pipe of Prosperity,” Far Eastern Economic Review, February 19, 2004, pp. 13; Ian Storey, “China's ‘Malacca Dilemma’,” The Jamestown Foundation China Brief Vol. 6, No. 8 (April 12, 2006). Available at http://www.jamestown.org. 3. For example, see “Who Will Create China's Southern Bridgehead? 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