China is working towards expanding its power to the four corners of the world. In order to expand its dominance, it is widely accused of building its power base in many countries of the world under the guise of loans. It is said that China, which is targeting the major maritime regions of the world due to its desire to dominate the world, is slowly moving its political pieces.
In order to face such maritime dominance moves by China, the United States, India, Japan and Australia have come together to form the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad).
China’s economic expansion
China’s maritime dominance attitude is closely intertwined with its economic ambitions. The infrastructure development program called Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is based on this goal. China is implementing this development plan in Asian, African and Latin American countries.
It is reported that the countries have been sunk into irreparable debt due to the investment of billions of dollars in these countries. China has brought under its control the critically important resources of its respective countries when debt defaults occur.
In particular, China’s interest in maritime territories is aimed at reviving its Maritime Silk Road and controlling trade routes beyond the Indian Ocean.
Having made major investments in Gwadar Port in Pakistan, Hambantota Port in Sri Lanka and port infrastructure in countries like Djibouti, China has established its presence in these regions.
China’s maritime security
China’s People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) has undergone major expansion and modernization over the past two decades. It has developed the technology of aircraft carriers and submarines. It aims to protect its maritime borders and project its power in other regions.
China claims a large part of the South China Sea region. The South China Sea territorial dispute is seen as the focal point of these maritime issues.
Territorial claims
China has been accused of creating tensions with its neighbors and the international community by building artificial islands and military structures in the South China Sea region. These moves by China have led to tensions in the region.
These moves by China are not simply aimed at territorial control. Rather, it aims to control major sea lanes and natural resources including oil and gas buried under the ocean.
Strategic functioning of the Quad system
The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) was formed in December 2004 as a diplomatic alliance with Australia, India, Japan and the United States as member countries.
For the first time, these four countries have come together to provide humanitarian aid to tsunami-affected countries in the Indian Ocean.
After the 2017s, the momentum of the Quad system increased. Its activities were accelerated with the aim of promoting an independent Indo-Pacific region.
Amid China’s hegemonic moves, the Quad countries of the United States, India, Japan, and Australia began working to uphold the rule of law, independence, and territorial integrity.
The Quad has positioned itself as a force to counter China’s growing influence in the region and create a strategic counterbalance to it.
A commitment was created among the Quad member states in reaction to China’s maritime activities in the Indo-Pacific region.
Military exercises and cooperation
Joint military exercises are seen as one of the main activities of the Quad system. The Quad’s annual naval exercise showcased the combined maritime capabilities of member nations to the outside world.
These exercises demonstrated the efficiency and power of the quad system. It sent a message to China that it was ready to respond to any Chinese maritime threats.
Infrastructure and connectivity projects
The Quad countries have launched an infrastructure development project called the “Blue Dot Network” as an alternative to China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The Blue Dot Network Infrastructure Development Plan, unlike China’s PRI plans, has been announced as a program to improve the country’s infrastructure in a more transparent manner.
The Blue Dot Network Initiatives program is designed to provide assistance to countries in the Indo-Pacific region with international standards and transparency.
Diplomatic involvement
Quad member states continue to engage in high-level diplomatic dialogue. These countries aim to ensure the stability and security of the Indo-Pacific region.
Activities of the QUAD member states often involve exchanges of advice with other organizations in the region, such as ASEAN, to implement action to address the region’s challenges.
Technology and Cyber Security Cooperation
The Quad is not limited to its traditional military exercises but is also showing interest in other fields.
The Quad is embarking on efforts to reach new frontiers by building joint collaborations in technology, cyber security and space.
Countries rallying against China’s hegemony believe that the existence of the Quad is necessary to control China’s maritime interest in the Indo-Pacific region and to act regionally and internationally in terms of sovereignty and security.
