What does China want?

Synopsis

China's rise raises alarms among its neighbors due to its territorial claims from the Himalayas to the sea. The border dispute with India involves China claiming Arunachal Pradesh, an area twice the size of Switzerland. This conflict dates back to a brief war in 1962. Currently, tensions escalate between China and Japan over the Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea, which Japan claims as its territory. The situation worsens since Japan nationalized three islands in 2012, provoking China to send ships and planes close to the disputed area. The U.S. has confirmed its security guarantee covers these islands, raising concerns about potential accidental conflicts. Additionally, in the South China Sea, China's maritime claims complicate relations with Vietnam and other Southeast Asian nations, especially after China deployed an oil rig near the Paracel Islands in May 2014. The competition for resources, including hydrocarbons, intensifies these disputes, highlighting the geopolitical tensions in the region.