U.S. ‘Minilateralism’ in Asia and China’s Responses

A New Security Dilemma

Bibliographic Data

ID12423283
AuthorsJoel Wuthnow (National Defense University, USA, corresponding author)
Year2018
Volume28
Issue115
Pages133-150
Publication date2018-07-17
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Contemporary China (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1067-0564 • E-ISSN: 1469-9400
PublisherRoutledge (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/10670564.2018.1497916
OpenAlexW2884835030
LanguageEN
Citations received22

A key feature of Asia’s evolving strategic landscape is U.S. efforts to promote policy coordination and interoperability among its allies and partners, through dialogues, exercises, intelligence-sharing agreements, and other means. Though useful in addressing practical issues and underscoring shared values, a concern is that these ‘minilateral’ activities could exacerbate Chinese fears of ‘encirclement’ and lead to strategic or economic counter-moves. However, this article suggests that a new ‘security dilemma’ in Asia is not likely. Although Chinese officials and analysts are apprehensive about U.S. bilateral alliance developments, they have largely discounted the emergence of an ‘Asian NATO’ under U.S. stewardship. This is due to perceived divergences between U.S. allies, many states’ economic dependence on China, and U.S. self-restraint. This should open possibilities for greater minilateral cooperation under most conditions

Alliance · China · Dilemma · Economics · Interoperability · National security · Political economy · Political science · Politics · Security Dilemma · Stewardship (theology · International Relations and Foreign Policy · Law · Military and Defense Studies

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