Military Multipolarity in the South China Sea

... However, given the steady growth of China’s military capabilities, its orientation to the South, as well as Beijing’s increased economic power, the U.S. could lose its role as the “guarantor of stability.” If that were to happen, Australia would have to strengthen its military component and its position in Southeast Asian political and economic life [5] . However, it should be noted that the recent signing of the Free Trade Agreement between Beijing and Canberra poses the latter a tough question: is a turnover of 160 billion dollars worth risking for the ...