COUNTERING CHINA’S PARAGUNBOAT DIPLOMACY IN THE SOUTH CHINA SEA: THE RESPONSES OF THE PHILIPPINES, VIETNAM, AND INDONESIA

Abstract

Since President Xi Jinping took office, China’s pursuit for natural resources and territory in the South China Sea began to intensify. Modernization of its naval and maritime forces is prioritized to the point where they grew significantly in power and number. With the China Coast Guard (CCG) and China Maritime Militia employed, Paragunboat Diplomacy became the main method to fulfill China’s so-called “nine-dash line” claims in the South China Sea. The coercive actions of China’s paramilitary has inflicted damage to the regional stability in the South China Sea. Hence, this thesis explores the strategy and components of China’s paramilitary forces from 2013-2017, as well as the major events that involved China’s paramilitary forces. These events include the 2014 Second Thomas Shoal Blockade, 2014 Haiyang Shiyou-981 Oil Rig dispute, and the 2016 Natuna Islands incidents. This thesis examines the responses of countries involved in each of the events – which are the Philippines, Vietnam, and Indonesia respectively. This thesis adopts the four responses dimensions of Gray Zone Strategy – which include Military, Diplomatic, Informational, and Economic responses – to the framework. Through the framework, thesis found that the Philippines, Vietnam, and Indonesia all have similarities and differences in their way of responses to China’s Paragunboat Diplomacy. The three countries’ responses managed to counter China’ Paragunboat Diplomacy with outcomes that either benefit or damage them.