Developing the Mekong Regionalism and Regional Security in China–Southeast Asian Relations Adelphi Series
Auteur : Goh Evelyn
In Southeast Asia, China?s growing economic and political strength has been accompanied by adept diplomacy and active promotion of regional cooperation, institutions and integration. Southeast Asian states and China engage in ?strategic regionalism?: they seek regional membership for regime legitimation and collective bargaining; and regional integration to enhance economic development, regarded as essential for ensuring national and regime security. Sino-Southeast Asian regionalism is exemplified by the development plans for the Mekong River basin, where ambitious projects for building regional infrastructural linkages and trade contribute to mediating the security concerns of the Mekong countries. However, Mekong regionalism also generates new insecurities. Developing the resources of the Mekong has led to serious challenges in terms of governance, distribution and economic externalities. Resource-allocation and exploitation conflicts occur most obviously within the realm of water projects, especially hydropower development programmes. While such disputes are not likely to erupt into armed conflict because of the power asymmetry between China and the lower Mekong states, they exacerbate Southeast Asian concerns about China?s rise and undermine Chinese rhetoric about peaceful development. But the negative security consequences of developing the Mekong are also due to the shared economic imperative, and the Southeast Asian states? own difficulties with collective action due to existing intramural conflicts.
Introduction 1. The Regionalism–Security Nexus in China’s Relations with Southeast Asia 2. The Mekong Region 3. Development Cooperation and Regionalism 4. Regionalism and Regional Security Conclusion
Evelyn Goh is a University Lecturer in International Relations at St Anne's College, Oxford.
Date de parution : 06-2007
15.6x23.4 cm
Date de parution : 06-2017
15.6x23.4 cm
Thèmes de Developing the Mekong :
Mots-clés :
china; southeast; asian; relations; riparian; states; basin; south; sea; river; Mekong Basin; Nam Theun II; FDI Net Inflow; FDI Inflow; China Southeast Asian Relations; MRC Framework; Benign Regional Power; Mekong Riparian States; Sino Southeast Asian Relations; Riparian States; Mekong Agreement; Lower Mekong; Mekong River Basin; Lower Mekong Basin; Mekong Mainstream; Lower Mekong Countries; Manwan Dam; ASEAN Membership; Yali Falls Dam; Mekong Countries; Water Utilisation Programme; Hydropower Development; Socioeconomic Development; Mainland East Asia; Large Scale Irrigation Projects