China's Role in Counter-Piracy Operations: Gulf of Aden (GOA), Southeast Asia, Cooperating with Other Navies, PLAN Modernization, ASEAN Economic Relationship, Somali Piracy, Mahanian Philosop

Piracy threatens commercial shipping passing through major choke points and sea lines of communication in regions such as the Gulf of Aden (GOA) and Southeast Asia. Piracy has become a larger security issue in the international community as the number of attacks has increased and ransoms have escalated. Countries such as China have become more involved in counter-piracy operations; however, China has neither joined the Combined Maritime Forces task force in the GOA to combat piracy nor been completely transparent about its maritime strategy in either region. There are varying theories about what is motivating China's behavior. Why is China involved in counter-piracy operations?: This thesis will attempt to answer the question, by comparing and contrasting China's behavior in these two regions. Three possible explanations will be analyzed in an attempt to answer the research question. Is China trying to meet the challenges of its rivals and establish a geopolitical position, safeguard its economic interests, or cooperate within the international community as a good global citizen? The research reveals that there is some truth to all three explanations that help to explain China's involvement with counter-piracy operations. Therefore, counter-piracy is a concern but more so a stepping-stone for a much larger maritime strategy. CHAPTER I - INTRODUCTION * A. DEFINING MARITIME PIRACY * B. A MAJOR RESEARCH QUESTION * C. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE RESEARCH QUESTION * D. RESEARCH DESIGN * E. LITERATURE REVIEW * 1. Meeting the Challenges of Its Rivals and Establishing a Geopolitical Position * 2. Safeguarding Economic Interests * 3. Cooperation, Security, Peace, and to Be a Good Global Citizen * F. POTENTIAL EXPLANATIONS AND HYPOTHESES * G. THESIS OVERVIEW * CHAPTER II - CHINA AND COUNTER-PIRACY OPERATIONS IN THE GULF OF ADEN * A. INTRODUCTION * B. BACKGROUND ON PIRACY IN THE GOA * C. MEET THE CHALLENGES OF ITS RIVALS AND ESTABLISH A GEOPOLITICAL POSITION * 1. Developing a More Aggressive Approach and Modernizing Its Navy * 2. Focusing on Objectives Other than Counter-Piracy * 3. Participating Passively in Counter-Piracy Operations * D. SAFEGUARDING ECONOMIC INTERESTS * 1. Expanding Its Economic Trade by Investing Further West * 2. Establishing Diplomatic and Economic Partners in Africa * 3. Escorting All Ships to Build Economic Partnerships * E. COOPERATION, PEACE, SECURITY, AND TO BE VIEWED AS A GOOD GLOBAL CITIZEN * 1. Cooperating with Other Navies * 2. Participating with Organizations That Fight Piracy * 3. Increasing Its Role in Global Society * F. CONCLUSION * CHAPTER III - CHINA AND COUNTER-PIRACY OPERATIONS IN SOUTHEAST ASIA * A. INTRODUCTION * B. BACKGROUND ON PIRACY IN SOUTHEAST ASIA * C. MEET THE CHALLENGES OF ITS RIVALS AND ESTABLISH A GEOPOLITICAL POSITION * D. SAFEGUARDING ECONOMIC INTERESTS * 1. Expanding Its Economic Trade * 2. Establishing Diplomatic and Economic Partners in Southeast Asia * 3. Escorting All Ships To Build Economic Partnerships * E. COOPERATION, SECURITY, PEACE, AND TO BE VIEWED AS A GOOD GLOBAL CITIZEN * 1. Cooperating with Other Navies * 2. Participating with Organizations That Fight Piracy * 3. Increasing Its Role in Global Society * F. CONCLUSION * CHAPTER IV - CONCLUSION * A. INTRODUCTION * B. MAIN FINDINGS * 1. Meeting the Challenges of Its Rivals and Establishing a Geopolitical Position * 2. Safeguarding Economic Interests * 3. Cooperation, Security, Peace, and to Be Viewed as a Good Global Citizen * 4. Conclusion * C. CHALLENGES WITH RESEARCH * D. OPTIONS FOR FOLLOW ON RESEARCH * APPENDIX