Sources of tension in the Asia–Pacific: strategic competition, divided regionalism and non-traditional security challenges

  This the first in a series of three papers commissioned for a project that ASPI has been jointly running with Canada’s Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI). The project explores the rationale for and possible mechanisms of closer Australia–Canada defence and security cooperation in the Asia–Pacific. The paper is authored by CIGI\u27s James Manicom. The paper considers strategic and security challenges in the region. Canada and Australia - resource-based economies with a record of bilateral and institutional engagement in the region, and important US allies - have an interest in these challenges, and in ensuring regional strategic stability that promotes economic growth. &nbsp

Book Review: Case Studies and Theory Development in the Social Sciences by Alexander L. George and Andrew Bennett

Book Review: Case Studies and Theory Development in the Social Sciences by Alexander L. George and Andrew Bennett Cambridge, MA: MIT Press, 2005, 256 pp

China's Arctic Ambitions and What They Mean for Canada

China’s Arctic Ambitions and What They Mean for Canada is one of the first in-depth studies of China’s increasing interest in the Arctic. It offers a holistic approach to understanding Chinese motivations and the potential impacts of greater Chinese presence in the circumpolar region, exploring resource development, shipping, scientific research, governance, and security. Drawing on extensive research in Chinese government documentation, business and media reports, and current academic literature, this timely volume eschews the traditional assumption that Chinese actions are unified and monolithic in their approach to Arctic affairs. Instead, it offers a careful analysis of the different, and often competing, interests and priorities of Chinese government and industry. Analyzing Chinese interests and activities from a Canadian perspective, the book provides an unparalleled point of reference to discuss the implications for the Canadian and broader circumpolar North

The Sino-Japanese energy dispute in the East China Sea: Strategic policy, economic opportunities, and cooperation

On 18 June 2008, Chinese and Japanese authorities announced that they had reached a new consensus in their maritime territorial dispute in the East China Sea. This article explores the sustainability of this agreement in light of past Sino-Japanese cooperation on energy issues, both generally and in the maritime realm. Specifically, it explores the impact of strategic and economic prerogatives on the cooperative track record in light of the consensus in the literature that Sino-Japanese energy relations, particularly the territorial dimension, are increasingly competitive. The article argues that the June 2008 agreement can be reinforced despite poor market conditions for offshore exploration.Territorial dispute, China, Japan, cooperation

Oil import diversification in Northeast Asia: A comparison between China and Japan

In this article, we explore why oil import patterns differ between states with a view to understanding the relationship between agent-based explanations such as strategy and structural explanations&mdash;for example, geography. We compare degree of diversification between China and Japan in an effort to explore the relationship between agency and structure in the formation of energy security policy. The China-Japan comparison is contextualized with reference to the baseline case of the United States, a well-diversified importer. We employ the Shannon-Wiener index of diversity to assess the extent of oil import diversification, and temporal changes in diversification for China, Japan, and the United States. A key finding is that China\u27s statist approach has allowed it to diversify its sources of imported oil more quickly than Japan\u27s hybrid approach. In fact, since becoming a net oil importer in 1993, China\u27s sources of imported oil have diversified quite rapidly. Japan\u27s overreliance on the Middle East for much of its imported oil has been endemic since 1973.</jats:p

China's Arctic Ambitions and What They Mean for Canada

China’s Arctic Ambitions and What They Mean for Canada is one of the first in-depth studies of China’s increasing interest in the Arctic. It offers a holistic approach to understanding Chinese motivations and the potential impacts of greater Chinese presence in the circumpolar region, exploring resource development, shipping, scientific research, governance, and security. Drawing on extensive research in Chinese government documentation, business and media reports, and current academic literature, this timely volume eschews the traditional assumption that Chinese actions are unified and monolithic in their approach to Arctic affairs. Instead, it offers a careful analysis of the different, and often competing, interests and priorities of Chinese government and industry. Analyzing Chinese interests and activities from a Canadian perspective, the book provides an unparalleled point of reference to discuss the implications for the Canadian and broader circumpolar North.China’s Arctic Ambitions and What They Mean for Canada is one of the first in-depth studies of China’s increasing interest in the Arctic. It offers a holistic approach to understanding Chinese motivations and the potential impacts of greater Chinese presence in the circumpolar region, exploring resource development, shipping, scientific research, governance, and security. Drawing on extensive research in Chinese government documentation, business and media reports, and current academic literature, this timely volume eschews the traditional assumption that Chinese actions are unified and monolithic in their approach to Arctic affairs. Instead, it offers a careful analysis of the different and often competing, interests and priorities of Chinese government and industry. Analyzing Chinese interests and activities from a Canadian perspective, the book provides an unparalleled point of reference to discuss the implications for the Canadian and broader circumpolar North.Ye

China's Arctic Ambitions and What They Mean for Canada

China’s Arctic Ambitions and What They Mean for Canada is one of the first in-depth studies of China’s increasing interest in the Arctic. It offers a holistic approach to understanding Chinese motivations and the potential impacts of greater Chinese presence in the circumpolar region, exploring resource development, shipping, scientific research, governance, and security. Drawing on extensive research in Chinese government documentation, business and media reports, and current academic literature, this timely volume eschews the traditional assumption that Chinese actions are unified and monolithic in their approach to Arctic affairs. Instead, it offers a careful analysis of the different, and often competing, interests and priorities of Chinese government and industry. Analyzing Chinese interests and activities from a Canadian perspective, the book provides an unparalleled point of reference to discuss the implications for the Canadian and broader circumpolar North