CHINESE BLUFF IN MALACCA The Future Security Architecture of the Region and China’s Indian Ocean Strategy

Abstract

The rise of China has been the subject of in-depth research in international politics. Beijing’s rapid rise appears to be mostly driven by trade-driven economics. China made an equal contribution to the expansion of world commerce from 2007 to 2017 as did all other nations. China’s trading route, the Indian Ocean, thus, became into Beijing’s key lifeline. In fact, China has talked publicly about its maritime vulnerabilities, with the so-called Malacca problem generating the most discussion. Contrary to Beijing’s portrayal of the Malacca problem, China seems to be playing on its fragility in order to assert its control over these straits. China plans to accomplish this in order to exert dominance across a larger portion of the Indian Ocean (IOR), which it has begun to view as its proper sphere of influence. China’s strategy towards the IOR is long-term and might have a destabilising effect, necessitating a cooperative security architecture in the area. This article begins by examining the Malacca conundrum from a Chinese perspective, as well as China’s solutions to the conundrum. The Malacca bluff, the underlying Chinese IOR plan, and its effects are then examined. Finally, the article suggests that the area implement a multilayered security system.