China’s coalition-building in the Indo-Pacific: strategies of connectivity and association

Developments such as the Quad and AUKUS have cast a spotlight on the relative success of America’s China-oriented coalition-building endeavours. Far less attention, however, has been paid to China’s coalition-building efforts over the years and the complex realities of an evolving Indo-Pacific regional landscape. This raises important questions about great power legitimacy, regional agency and the future direction of regional order. Advancing the concept of coalitional hegemony, this paper examines Chinese efforts to extend and enhance its regional influence by employing two broad strategies: a strategy of connectivity that facilitates relationships and networks; and a strategy of association that cultivates a sense of belonging and like-mindedness. Focusing on regional development infrastructure, we argue that China’s coalition-building is multifaceted and adaptive, demonstrating Beijing’s growing proficiency in utilising the two strategies, through benign and more adverse modes, to strengthen its coalitional base in the Indo-Pacific. By analysing the characteristics, objectives and strategies of China’s coalition-building, this paper contributes to the growing field on hegemony studies and the intensifying politics of regional hegemonic (re)ordering.