SINO-US STRATEGIC INTERESTS in POST COLD WAR ERA: a CASE STUDY of ASIA-PACIFIC Department of Politics and International Relatio
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SINO-US STRATEGIC INTERESTS IN POST COLD WAR ERA: A CASE STUDY OF ASIA-PACIFIC Researcher: Supervisor: Hikmat Shah Afridi, TI (M) Prof. Dr. Mansoor Akbar Roll/Reg. No. 4FSS-PHDIR /S15 Kundi, Professor Meritorious Co-Supervisor Dr. Manzoor Khan Afridi, Assoc Prof/ Chairman Department of Politics and International Relations Faculty of Social Sciences INTERNATIONAL ISLAMIC UNIVERSITY, ISLAMABAD 2019 i SINO-US STRATEGIC INTERESTS IN POST COLD WAR ERA: A CASE STUDY OF ASIA-PACIFIC Hikmat Shah Afridi Roll/Reg. No. 4FSS-PHDIR/S15 A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy degree in Discipline of Social Sciences with Specialization in International Relations at the Department of Politics and International Relations at the Faculty of Social Sciences International Islamic University, Islamabad. Supervisor Prof. Dr. Mansoor Akbar Kundi Co-Supervisor Assoc. Prof. Dr. Manzoor Khan Afridi September, 2019 ii In the Name of Allah, the Most Benifient, the Most Merciful iii Copyright (c) 2014 by Hikmat Afridi All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in parts in any form requires the prior written permission of Hikmat Afridi or designated representative iv DECLARATION I hereby declare that this thesis has neither as whole nor part thereof been copied from any source. It is further declared that I have prepared this thesis entirely on the basis of my personal effort, made under the sincere guidance of my Supervisor, Co-supervisor and Colleagues. No portion of the work presented in the thesis has been submitted in support of any degree or qualification of this or any other University or Instituate of learning. Hikmat Shah Afridi, TI (M) Roll/Reg. No. 4FSS-PHDIR /S15 Department of Politics and International Relations INTERNATIONAL ISLAMIC UNIVERSITY, ISLAMABAD v DEDICATION I dedicate my research work to MY PARENTS, TEACHERS, Colleagues AND to those who are sincerely working for the entire humanity vi ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS First and foremost, I bow my head and submit in the humility to Allah Almighty who is true and only one, for bestowing me with an opportunity for undertaking and successful completion of my thesis. After this, I would express my profound regards to my erudite supervisor, Professor Dr. Mansoor Akbar Kundi, International Islamic University, Islamabad who offered his unwavering guidance and for the continuous support of my Ph.D study and related research, for his patience, motivation, and immense knowledge. Without which this thesis could have never reached to its culmination. I am privileged to work consistently under his able guidance and am extremely grateful for the support and encouragement that he extended during the course of this study. In addition, I am extremely grateful to Associate Professor Dr Manzoor Khan Afridi, surely without his intermittent guidance and supervision, this entire PhD course would have not been accomplished. I am highly thankful to Professor Dr Amna Mahmood for guiding and advising me on various aspects of research but more of her dynamism who was forthcoming and accessible for all kinds of guidance. Here to mention a dynamic personality; Professor Dr Muhammad Khan, for guidance on dynamics of Asia-Pacific and the intricacies involved in the security aspects of the subject. He took lot of pain for correcting my research and offered inspiring advices to complete it within the stipulated time. I am also grateful to Associate Professor Dr Husnul Amin for his aspiring guidance, invaluably constructive criticism and friendly advice during the research work. I would like to mention my family members who did not only give me hearty support when I used to be depressed but they were kind enough to bear all the busy schedules of the research who extended their help and demonstrated patience during the course of study as writing thesis is like running a long and lonely marathon. Their vii spiritual support was indispensable to sustain me to complete this thesis. Of course the patience and bearing of children also paid me lot. I am also highly grateful to those who guided and spared their precious time for their valuable suggestions to include; Professor Dr Parvez Iqbal Cheema, Dean, Faculty of Contemporary Studies, National Defence University, Islamabad, Professor Dr Jehanzeb Khalil, Pro Vice Chancellor Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Professor Dr Fakhar Ul Islam Director Pakistan Study Centre Peshawar, Dr Nazya Faiz, Dr Manzoor Nazir, Mr Javid Khattak, Dr Masood Ur Rehman, Dr Mujahid Hussain Sargana, Dr Tuiqir Hussain Sargana, Mr Inam Ullah Jan Afridi, Mr Zubair, Mr Ejaz, Dr Zahir Shah, Dr Manzoor Ahmad, Dr Saif Ur Rehman and Mr Zafran Shah. Lieutenant General Shahid Baig Mirza, Commander 5 Corps, Major General Raza Muhammad, Major General Ehsan Mahmood Khan, General Officer Commanding, FCNA, Major General Muhammad Yousaf Majoka, General Officer Commanding, 11 Division, Brigadier Waseem Ayub, Brigadier Muhammad Khan, Brigadier Naseer Ahmed Afridi, Colonel Muhammad Ather Rana, Lieutenant Colonel Faredoon Shah, Air Cdr Khalid Banuri, Mr Abdul Samad, Mr Muhammad Zubair, Mr Muhammad Iqbal, Mr Shakeel Ahmed, Mr Muhammad Khan, Mr Abdul Ghafoor, Mr Muhammad Tahir and Mr Ajmal Khan. Finally, I would like to thank my parents who were always consistent in offering their prayers not only for this thesis but for removal of all the hurdles in my life. They are always the rich sources of oceanic long lasting love and affection. I look forward for their love and support in future. Hikmat Shah Afridi, TI (M) International Islamic University, Islamabad September, 2019 viii ABSTRACT The Asia-Pacific region blusters over half of the globe’s population and as residue of major powers centre including the main arteries of international economies like India, China and Australia etc. Due to its dynamism, there are plausible reasons that Asia- Pacific would emanate as the mother region in the coming days. Historically, with the concurrence of US, Japan and Australia, the concept of Asia-Pacific emerged which has legalized the US’ involvement in the issues related to East Asia. In plain term, Asia- Pacific region invokes Asia, Australia and West Coast of North America for its potentials to crop up as a galvanic force. Strategically, covering 22 percent of world land, Asia- Pacific is one of the important and eloquent regions that comprises three well developed Economic Powers of the World i.e. China, Japan and US. In addition, the region encompasses world's six largest ports and six vital Sea Lanes of Communications i.e. straits of Makassar, South China Sea, Lombok, Malacca, Ombai - Wetar and Sunda. Due to the US’ involvement in Afghanistan and Iraq, Chinese managed to fill the vacuum and improve its economic ties with its Southeast Asian neighbours. China has the economic and technological influence all over the world with approximately 6 % average annual growth rate and an anticipation of taking over the economies of Japan and US by 2016 and 2039 respectively. However, rise of China coupled with its outreach to the global markets poses a consistent challenge to the US’ dominance hence emerges as a key challenge of 21st century to US’ interests at global and regional levels. As a result of which, US’ policy has been re-patronized towards Asia-Pacific for maintaining and expanding security network, strengthening the economic relations with her new and old allies and concurrently focuses on containment of China. In addition, US’ rebalancing has been claimed to strengthen bilateral security alliances with its allies, expanding trade and investment, promotion of democracy and human rights but China views the pivot as containment strategy and provocation act. ix Asia-pivot, a major shift in American policy shows that America has already started to calculate its options for dominating the region, both politically and militarily. US has been increasing its military components to reach to 60 % of total force ratio in Asia-Pacific region by 2020. In addition, US has been giving military assistances to Japan, Vietnam, Philippines etc in support of their territorial disputes against China. Amidst these developments, US-China engagement in Asia-Pacific and subsequent power transition have surfaced complications for regional states relations. Keeping in view the likely power transition between China and US, the difference in the Sino-US power potentials shall persist for coming 30 years but it will be reduced to some extent however, conflict cannot be completely ruled out as and when China attains power parity with the US. The rise of China was also examined in detail, providing an overview of how China’s role evolved in this regard and how the international community responded to this phenomenon. The perceptions of Sino-US relations are grounded in the intent and subjective understandings of each other’s interests and compulsions. These perceptions can easily determine how best the two states interpret each other’s actions in the wake of China’s rise and US Rebalancing of Asia-Pacific. In wholesome Sino-US cooperation in power transition and maintenance of friendly relations is the only option because why both the states should afford to engage themselves in conflict. In addition to adding new contribution to the existing body of literature, this research will help the readers to attain an understanding of the major issues of contention and convergence between China and US in the region. The contribution will be of significance nature in creating a framework within which Chinese and American regional policies can be understood and may serve as reference for policy makers and students of international politics. x TABLE OF CONTENTS SERIAL CONTENTS PAGE NO 1. Acknowledgements vi 2. Abstract viii 3. List of Tables xviii 4. List of Figures xix 5. Acronyms and Abbreviations xx 6. Verses from Holy Quran and Translation 1 7. Chapter - 1 Introduction 2 1.1 Rationale of the Study 2 1.2 Statement of the Problem 5 1.3 Objectives of the Study 6 1.4 Research Questions 7 1.5 Significance of the Study 8 1.6 Scope of the Study 9 1.7 Operational Definitions of Major Terms 11 1.8 Research Methodology 15 1.9 Literature Review 17 1.10 Gap in Literature 29 1.11 Organisation of the Study 30 8.