In the wake of the 20th century, China has emerged as a major power, both in Asia and the world. The country has been through tremendous economic growth, pushed by drastic reforms undertaken after...Show moreIn the wake of the 20th century, China has emerged as a major power, both in Asia and the world. The country has been through tremendous economic growth, pushed by drastic reforms undertaken after the end of Mao’s regime. Today, China is developing new military capabilities, acquiring new technologies that have increased the country’s ability for power projection. In a region with strong interstate rivalries, China’s increasing military power is seen with defiance by its neighbors. Military power is one of the key aspects of hard balancing in the balance of power theory. After contextualizing China’s military development, by illustrating how external threats have urged the country to modernize its armed forces, we will thus use the balance of power theory to analyze how China’s increasing military capabilities are affecting its relations with other countries in Asia, and its relations with the US. Although regional tensions have been on the rise in the recent years, China has proven that it is willing to cooperate in supranational organizations, providing an element of discussion in forecasting the region’s future stability. This thesis provides an assessment of China’s military development, its impact on interstate relations with China, and aims to stress the importance of dialogue and cooperation through diplomatic channels in order to integrate China in the international community and appease tensions in the region.Show less
