Chinese Management of Territorial Disputes

China is involved in nearly thirty long-standing territorial disputes with several of its neighbors, including states such as Japan and Taiwan. Historically, rising powers have viewed territorial expansion as one means of increasing their security. As Chinese economic and military capabilities continue growing, these states are understandably concerned China may flex its muscles to the detriment of their security interests.

Overseen Professor Taylor Fravel, this project explores the conditions under which China may violate prior territorial agreements or escalate existing disputes. To better understand the potential for such conflicts in the future, this project explores the domestic and international drivers of Chinese territorial behavior. It also assesses the mechanisms by which China opts to escalate or de-escalate its territorial disputes; this provides insight not just into China’s management territorial issues, but also the options and constraints on China’s capacity to exert influence in the region.