Abstract

Xi Jinping has called for China to take the lead in establishing a new regional security architecture in the Indo-Pacific region. Under Xi, China has reinvigorated its regional diplomacy, sending official and quasi-official representatives throughout the region in an effort to shape the multilateral agenda in a way that better supports Beijing’s views. In addition to enhancing and reshaping existing forums, Beijing is also working to develop a new and multi-layered network of alternative forums through which to advance its messages and foreign policy goals in the region. The Asia Society Policy Institute (ASPI) and the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS) are convening a workshop to better understand how China is operationalizing its vision of a new Asian security architecture. What new institutions and forums is Beijing promoting in the region; what policy priorities and messages is China seeking to advance through these venues; and what has been the impact of these efforts on the broader regional order?

Key Questions

1. What are the most important forums, dialogues, and coordination mechanisms through which China is working to shape the Indo-Pacific security architecture?

2. To what degree is China prioritizing the establishment of new forums/mechanisms over efforts to reshape and influence existing dialogues?

3. Has China enhanced its use of Track II dialogues in addition to Track 1.5 and formal Track 1 mechanisms in recent years? If so, are there issues or topics of particular focus and emphasis in China’s Track II efforts?

4. How does China seek to leverage Track II dialogues as part of a broader agenda-setting effort?

5. What are the key messages and policy priorities China is working to advance through these mechanisms?

6. How are China’s efforts to play a greater leadership role in shaping the regional security architecture being received?

7. To what degree are these new dialogues/coordination mechanisms viewed as effective? Has China been able to shape regional policy decisions or rules/norms of behavior? Are there examples of concrete cooperation?