中國在南海的強勢外交與美中戰略角力

China’s Assertive Diplomacy toward the South China Sea and Its Implications for US-China Strategic Competitions

近年來，中國在南海地區採取強勢外交作為，擴大維權力度，包括加強海上執法、進行軍事演訓、擴建人工島礁以及加速軍事設施部署。美國面對相關發展，積極介入南海情勢，導致中、美兩國在南海地區的外交和軍事角力持續升高。本文主要探討中國在南海進行強勢外交的背景及作為，並分析美國因應中國南海擴張舉動的戰略反制動作。對中國而言，南海問題涉及「核心利益」；對美國而言，則牽涉對區域安全承諾及維持亞太地區領導地位。相關立場將讓雙方在南海問題上不易有所妥協，中、美在南海地區的戰略角力短期內不會落幕。

China has recently taken assertive diplomacy toward the South China Sea. The main actions have included: strengthen maritime law enforcement activities, increase military exercises, build artificial islands, and deploy military equipments in the South China Sea. The United States have decided to respond China’s expansionism and the diplomatic/ military competitions between these two powers have reached a new height. This paper aims to explore China’s assertive diplomacy in the South China Sea and examine the strategic reactions from the United States. Beijing has regarded the South China Sea issues as part of its “core interests,” while Washington needs to maintain its security commitment and the American leadership in this region. It won’t be easy for U.S. and China to reach compromise on the South China Sea issues and both sides’ strategic competitions may continue in the coming years.