Agnihotri, Kamlesh K

Abstract
Since the commencement of the new millennium, the increased focus on the modernisation of the Chinese navy as part of the overall Defence Forces modernisation has been a much-debated subject globally. While the advancements in the capacity and the capabilities of the Chinese Navy are quite visible, obvious and of vital importance, the strength of the naval forces alone does not and cannot ensure the rise of a nation to great power status. The sea has to be comprehensively understood and then explored as a medium of immense economic, scientific, political, social and military potential, so as to be a contributory factor in building of the Comprehensive National Power. Seen from this perspective, the modernisation of the Chinese Navy forms but only a subset in the exploitation of the greater maritime domain. The capabilities of the Chinese Navy − the sword arm of the maritime domain − can hence be best leveraged in support of the national aims and objectives if there are Chinese influences, interests and stakes in the greater maritime domain. This paper seeks to investigate the various multi-faceted developments in the larger maritime environment, generally focusing on the Chinese seaboard, though not limited in any manner to the regional level only. With its civilian maritime activities being indicative of maritime presence in all the three Oceans including in the Arctic and the Antarctic, it may well be assumed that Beijing has understood the “Mantra” towards achieving great power status. And the Global community is possibly witness to the implementation of this Chinese path-breaking strategy.
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