Research On The Trump Administration’s South China Sea Policy

Located in eastern Asia and southeast China,the South China Sea is one of the three largest marginal seas in the world,connecting the Pacific Ocean and the Indian Ocean,and an important thoroughfare for east-west exchanges.Due to its unique geographical location and rich mineral resources,successive US governments have attached great importance to the South China Sea issue.Since the end of the Cold War,the collapse of the Soviet Union has gradually shifted the strategic focus of the United States to the Asia Pacific region,and the South China Sea issue has become increasingly important in the decision-making of the United States government.Especially after entering the 21st century,with the enhancement of China’s comprehensive national strength and the continuous improvement of international influence,as well as the growing voice of countries surrounding the South China Sea for the sovereignty of islands and reefs in the South China Sea region.As well as the intervention of foreign powers such as the United States,Japan,and India,the South China Sea dispute has become one of the most complex island and reef disputes in the world today.After Trump became President of the United States in 2017,he paid more attention to the South China Sea issue.The United States government has successively issued a series of documents such as the"National Strategic Report of the United States" and the "National Defense Strategy Report",proposing the "Indo Pacific Strategy" and treating China as a strategic competitor,making the situation in the South China Sea even more tense.After Trump took office,his South China Sea policy has four main aspects:first,implementing the "Indo Pacific Strategy";The second is to normalize "freedom of navigation"in the South China Sea region;The third is to adopt a "linking strategy" that forcibly links the South China Sea issue with other issues;Fourth,it is inclined to use "militarization" means to solve the South China Sea issue.The analysis of the reasons for the changes in Trump’s South China Sea policy mainly starts from two aspects:the first is the international system level;The second is the domestic political level.In January 2021,Trump stepped down as President of the United States,and Biden became the new President of the United States.As a Democrat,Biden’s South China Sea policy has both inherited and developed from the Trump administration.The Biden administration’s South China Sea policy includes the following aspects:First,continuing to pursue the militarization policy in the South China Sea.Strengthening the relationship with the alliance,building a military alliance dominated by the United States,Japan,Australia,and India.attracting foreign powers to intervene in the South China Sea issue,and continuing to conduct "freedom of navigation" operations in the South China Sea region;The second is to continue the hard policy of the previous government towards China;The third is to pursue multilateralism and attach importance to the formulation of regional rules.