Containment of China: an Analysis of Future U.S. Relations With India and Taiwan

Date of Graduation

Spring 2005

Degree

Master of Science in Defense and Strategic Studies

Department

Defense and Strategic Studies

Committee Chair

Bradley Thayer

Abstract

In the future the most prominent threat to the United States position as hegemonic world leader is the People’s Republic of China. Stability in East Asia is threatened by their evolving doctrine of expansion. The current modernization process by the People’s Republic of China is the latest measure taken by the state to implement its control over the region. Specific preparations are being made by each branch of the Peoples Liberation Army, in order to carry out the government’s policy of expansion and regional domination. The first target of the PRC’s process of obtaining regional supremacy will be the reunification of Taiwan. On its southern border with India, historical conflicts such as the 1962 Sino-Indian war show that the PRC has aspirations for the expansion in this region as well. Taiwan’s continued support from the United States and India’s acquisition of nuclear weapons technology have initiated a counter balance to China’s goal of regional domination. It is in the interest of the United States to maintain or increase its level of relations with the states of India and Taiwan in order to ensure stability in East Asia. These two states have the economic, political, technological, and military assets available to contain the PRC with the assistance of the United States.

Keywords

India, China, Taiwan, modernization, expansion

Subject Categories

Defense and Security Studies

Copyright

© John R. Schweighardt

Citation-only

Dissertation/Thesis

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