New Powers, Old Patterns: Dangers of the Naval Buildup in the Asia Pacific Region
March 1, 1997
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This paper addresses the issue of the naval arms buildup in the Asia Pacific region and the frequently-expressed fears that it might turn into an all-out arms race. The authors find that although the naval buildup has not yet turned into a full-scale arms race throughout the region, a) there is a genuine naval arms race already occurring between the PRC and Taiwan; b) the historical precursors of an arms race are now in place throughout Northeast Asia; and, c) there is a clear danger of an inter-ASEAN naval arms race. The paper concludes by emphasizing the need to put in place official mechanisms to enhance cooperative maritime security, consisting of a combination of confidence building and risk reduction measures together with multinational naval cooperation leading toward full-scale maritime security regimes.
