What China can do to secure trade routes in its coming high-seas struggle with US
Di Dongsheng argues it could take three decades for China to dominate access to ports, straits, canals and shipping lanes around the world
China should forge a national consensus on “regaining mastery of the oceans” and direct overseas investment returns into defence spending to brace for sea-power competition with the US, according to a prominent Chinese academic.
Di Dongsheng, associate dean of Renmin University’s school of international studies in Beijing, warned on Tuesday that as economic ties between the United States, the dominant maritime power, and China, which relies heavily on sea-bound trade, shifted towards competition, the era of open oceans could be drawing to a close.
“We must prepare for struggle in a coming contest over sea power and the security of shipping routes,” Di wrote in a note on his social media channel.
He argued it could take about three decades for China to secure dominance over and access to ports, straits, canals and shipping lanes around the world in a step-by-step process.
“Before then, the possibility that a portion of [China’s] import and export trade relying on maritime transport would come under threats, or even partial shocks, still warrants close attention,” he said.