Military Multipolarity in the South China Sea

... benefits of cooperation with China may hold some of them back and encourage concessions: in 2015, trade volume between China and ASEAN countries is expected to reach 500 billion dollars, which is identical to U.S.-China trade volume . Therefore, the prospect of forming a united “anti-Chinese front” in Southeast Asia is less than likely. The situation is complicated by the emergence of a new potential “regional hegemon” - Australia. Hugh White is confident that Canberra has an interest in maintaining the status quo, namely developing trade and economic ...