A New Regional Cold War? A merican and C hinese Posturing in the P acific
Year: 2014
Type: article
Abstract: It is often argued that theUnitedStates andChinese engagement in thePacific manifests a clash of foreign policies that mimics the cold war confrontation of the post‐WorldWar II era. The article argues that rather than a dichotomous contestation of foreign policies, theUnitedStates–China engagement is more complex in nature and needs to be understood using more ‘syncretic’ lenses to understand the complex synergy in their relationship, which oscillates between tension and accommodation, cooperation and competition. While there are areas of policy contestation, there are also areas of policy appeasement and convergence. This may act as a stabilising factor in the region as the two powers acknowledge the significance of the other and the long‐term cost of direct confrontation on their respective interests. This potentially contributes to a ‘stable’ environment where thePacificIslandCountries are prevented from taking sides, which could potentially exacerbate tension and regional instability.
DOI: 10.1002/app5.38
Author: Steven Ratuva
Institution: University of Auckland
Language: English
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $1,810
OpenAlex ID: W3124756340