Hainan Province in China’s South China Sea Policy: What Role Does the Local Government Play?

Abstract

This article explores the role of the local government in Hainan Province in Beijing’s policy in the South China Sea (SCS) disputes. The article argues that Hainan has played three major roles in the SCS disputes: an avid defender of China’s claim and position, an active definer of China’s interests in the disputes, and a helpful participant in asserting China’s national security in the SCS. The establishment of the Sansha city has significantly increased Hainan’s involvement in the SCS contestations. This article concludes that Beijing’s policy in the SCS is unlikely to become significantly more moderate partly because of Hainan’s strong position on the dispute and keen interest in the resources in the area. The article also recommends incorporating the views and activities of local governments in future studies on Chinese foreign and security policy.

What’s Really Going On in the South China Sea?

“…Notably, the public international response consistently overestimated the degree to which Chinese policy reflected the deliberate choices of a unitary rational actor. Close observers of Chinese politics note the aggravating role not only of competing bureaucratic interests (the proverbial “nine dragons stirring up the sea”; Lai and Kang, 2014: 311), but also of local governments (Li, 2019; Wong, 2018) and state-owned enterprises (Gong, 2018), both of which pushed for bold action at crucial points during this volatile period (personal communication).…”