The intentions behind China's activities in the South China Sea and East China Sea are the source of considerable debate in Australia, in the region, and around the world. China asserts it is peacefully protecting its historic sovereignty. Many Western analysts fear that China is aggressively attempting to become the predominant power in the region. However, despite heated discussion, it is difficult to say with certainty what China is aiming to achieve, or what the implications and unintended consequences might be.

On 19 May Lowy Nonresident Fellows Bonnie Glaser and Linda Jakobson and East Asia Program Director Merriden Varrall examined of the motivations behind China's activities in the maritime arena, drawing on their many years of experience working on China's foreign policy.

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