Paper
Ashley J. Tellis
{
"authors": [
"Ashley J. Tellis"
],
"type": "other",
"centerAffiliationAll": "dc",
"centers": [
"Carnegie Endowment for International Peace"
],
"collections": [],
"englishNewsletterAll": "ctw",
"nonEnglishNewsletterAll": "",
"primaryCenter": "Carnegie Endowment for International Peace",
"programAffiliation": "SAP",
"programs": [
"South Asia"
],
"projects": [],
"regions": [
"South Asia",
"East Asia",
"China",
"Southeast Asia"
],
"topics": [
"Economy",
"Trade",
"Security",
"Military",
"Foreign Policy",
"Global Governance"
]
}
Source: Getty
Other
Diplomatic Implications of the South China Sea on the Indo-Pacific Region
China’s actions in the South China Sea will likely have adverse consequences for the global maritime order. Such actions require a sustained and intentional response on the part of the United States.
Published on Feb 1, 2018
Source: Hudson Institute
Speaking at the Hudson Institute, Carnegie’s Ashley J. Tellis addressed the strategic and diplomatic implications of Chinese actions in the South China Sea. Arguing that China’s intention to enforce its ambiguous but expansive claims poses unmistakable danger to the existing international order, Tellis sketched out some of the possible long-term consequences, as well as possible U.S. responses.
Beyond the potential risk to freedom of navigation in the region and economic disadvantages for neighboring countries with conflicting claims in the South China Sea, China’s actions strengthen the shift toward progressively greater “national enclosure” of open international waterways, Tellis warned. He added that, if left unchecked, Chinese militarization would disturb the local military balances and force the United States to commit more resources to the region in order to fulfill its obligations to its local friends and allies.
Tellis called for a coordinated campaign to increase pressure on China through multilateral institutions and other international maritime functional organizations. Sanctions could be applied to specific, Chinese state-owned enterprises engaged in illegal construction in the region, he added. He argued that a regime of routine freedom of navigation operations should be maintained, and a coalition of like-minded nations in Southeast Asia should be assisted to develop their surveillance capacities as well as their naval and air power deterrents.
About the Author
Ashley J. Tellis
Former Senior Fellow
Ashley J. Tellis was a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.
- Multipolar Dreams, Bipolar Realities: India’s Great Power Future
- India Sees Opportunity in Trump’s Global Turbulence. That Could Backfire.Commentary
Ashley J. Tellis
Recent Work
Carnegie does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carnegie, its staff, or its trustees.
More Work from Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center
- What the Russian Energy Sector Stands to Gain From War in the Middle EastCommentary
The future trajectory of the U.S.-Iran war remains uncertain, but its impact on global energy trade flows and ties will be far-reaching. Moscow is likely to become a key beneficiary of these changes; the crisis in the Gulf also strengthens Russia’s hand in its relationships with China and India, where advantages might prove more durable.
Sergey Vakulenko
- A Tight Spot: Challenges Facing the Russian Oil Sector Through 2035Paper
Russian oil production is remarkably resilient to significant price changes, but significant political headwinds may lead to a drop regardless of economics.
Sergey Vakulenko
- The Nuances of Oscar-Winning Film “Mr. Nobody Against Putin”Commentary
It’s disingenuous to criticize a film for simplifying Russia’s complexities when Russia is waging a brutally simple war of aggression against its neighbor.
Alexander Baunov
- Why Has Kazakhstan Started Deporting Political Activists?Commentary
The current U.S. indifference to human rights means Astana no longer has any incentive to refuse extradition requests from its authoritarian neighbors—including Russia.
Temur Umarov
- Why Are China and Russia Not Rushing to Help Iran?Commentary
Most of Moscow’s military resources are tied up in Ukraine, while Beijing’s foreign policy prioritizes economic ties and avoids direct conflict.
Alexander Gabuev, Temur Umarov
