ENHANCING MARITIME GOVERNANCE IN THE INDIAN OCEAN: IDENTIFYING CHINA’S ENGAGEMENT WITH SRI LANKA

Abstract

With the advancement of China-Sri Lanka relations and the landmark projects under the Belt and Road Initiatives, maritime governance is receiving increasing attention. This paper examines the current status of bilateral cooperation in maritime infrastructure, defense cooperation and scientific expedition, and argues that the sea and land attributes of China and Sri Lanka, the common maritime challenges, and the blessing of the Belt and Road initiative provide ample opportunities for maritime governance cooperation between the two states. The paper proposes that India is the most significant external factor impacting China-Sri Lankan maritime governance collaboration. Based on its geopolitical consideration, India is actively pursuing a policy to hedge China’s influence and hinder the implementation of China- Sri Lanka cooperation projects and normal interaction. The cooperation on maritime governance is an irresistible general trend and is in China-Sri Lanka interest. Both countries need to integrate the concept of maritime governance into bilateral cooperation and establish bilateral maritime governance mechanisms; to strengthen maritime governance by consolidating bilateral and multilateral maritime security cooperation; and to manage trilateral relationship effectively among China, India, and Sri Lanka.