In the past few years, the United States has tried to contain China's rise through its Indo-Pacific strategy, but it has faced the challenge of the war on terror. As China's comprehensive national strength continues to grow, the United States realized that it is no longer possible to maintain military hegemony in Asia during the Trump and Biden eras. At present, the United States is facing China's growing influence, especially its military power, and the United States must adjust its response strategy.
1. The U.S. strategy for adjusting its China strategy
Over the past three years, the United States has continuously strengthened its military deployment in the Asia-Pacific region and cooperated with its allies to maintain a regional military balance. The establishment of new cooperation mechanisms with the Philippines, South Korea, and Japan, and the signing of the AUKUS agreement to provide Australia with nuclear-powered submarines, although these measures have achieved some results, they cannot change the military power balance between China and the United States in Asia.
Biden has been slow to build military alliances in Asia, lacks military access in key regions, and has not had the equipment and strength to support allies to maintain U.S. leadership. The United States is faced with the dilemma of not being able to maintain its military hegemony in Asia for a long time.
1. Challenges and Problems: The U.S. Situation in Asia
U.S. military dominance in Asia has been challenged from many quarters, and its allies and partners have not developed to the level of support for the United States. However, the United States lacks the methods and ways to solve these problems, and must face the reality that it cannot maintain military hegemony in Asia for a long time.
The American magazine Foreign Affairs has proposed a series of new tactics to prevent "Chinese hegemony" in an attempt to deal with the current situation. These strategies may seem targeted, but do they really work?
1. Balance strategy: to deal with China's head-on challenges
Recognizing that it cannot maintain regional security by military force alone, the United States has proposed a balancing strategy. The strategy seeks to work with core countries in the region to help them defend themselves and reduce their dependence on the Chinese economy. At the operational level, the United States should focus on India, Japan, and South Korea to strengthen relations and ensure their independence in order to counter China.
2. Control of key waterways: adjustment of strategic layout
The United States shifted its military focus to control key waterways, such as the Strait of Malacca, the South China Sea, and the East China Sea, and sought support from India, Japan, the Philippines, and Singapore. By grasping the key points, the United States can better adapt to the current reality.
3. Enhance the self-defense capability of allies: jointly address China's challenges
The U.S. emphasizes that it is not about all-out competition with China, but about helping allies improve their self-defense capabilities, share security pressure, and let the U.S. military play more of a supporting and guiding role. Strengthen cooperation with allies and push them to purchase appropriate armaments, so as to consolidate the regional security order.
In response to China's rise, the United States has proposed a new "balancing strategy" in an attempt to prevent China's so-called "hegemony". However, this strategy may face many challenges and problems in practice. China is not pursuing regional hegemony, and unilateral adjustment by the United States may not be able to truly solve regional security problems. The United States needs to recognize the reality that the long-term solution is to jointly maintain regional peace and stability by strengthening cooperation with Asian countries.