Global supply chains connect the world in unprecedented and intricate ways. Geopolitics, Supply Chains, and International Relations in East Asia dissects the sources and effects of contemporary disruptions of these networks. Despite their dramatic expansion as distinct, complex, and unique mechanisms of economic interdependence, the role of supply chains in broader patterns of interstate conflict and cooperation has been relatively neglected. This volume sheds light on whether a highly interdependent “Factory Asia” and Asia-Pacific can withstand geopolitical, geo-economic, and pandemic threats. This combustible mix, fueled by rising hyper-nationalism in the US and China, threatens to unleash sizable disruptions in the global geography of production and in the international relations of East Asia.

East Asia is a potential area of international conflict, with a number of possible 'flashpoints' and with the absence of strong regional organisations able to deal with conflict resolution. At the same time, global powers frequently get involved in the international politics of the region in order to protect their interests. This book presents a comprehensive overview of the geopolitics of the region. It focuses in particular on the way geographical and historical forces continue to play a key role in shaping international relations here. It considers the role of both regional and international powers, and assesses the risks of war in the region.

This book explores the intricate web of economic diplomacy, Asia Pacific strategies, and Mega Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) that shape the region's dynamics. It also examines the European Union's perspective, considering its shared interests with East Asia and the USA. Avoiding military conflicts in sensitive regions such as the Taiwan Straits and the Korean Peninsula is crucial, as the economic ramifications of any such conflicts could be catastrophic on a global scale, fundamentally altering the course of the New Cold War. Divided into four parts, the book begins with an introduction, setting the stage for the ensuing exploration. Part two delves into economic diplomacy, Asia Pacific strategies, and Mega FTAs in East Asia, while part three examines the same themes in the context of the European Union. Finally, part four concludes with insightful remarks that tie together the findings from the preceding sections. As the world teeters on the precipice of a new era defined by global power struggles and geopolitical realignments, this book offers a comprehensive analysis of the pressing issues facing East Asia and the EU. It challenges readers to reflect on history's lessons and find wise solutions through theoretical and practical approaches.

This book examines geopolitics in East Asia, focusing in particular on East Asia’s contentious maritime territorial disputes. It examines how important factors including territory, natural resources and power relations influence state behaviour and relations between important powers including the United States, China, Japan and South Korea.

In Power Competition in East Asia, Suisheng Zhao provides the first in-depth, comprehensive analysis of international relations in East Asia. With a focus on the political economy of the region and a special emphasis on security issues, Zhao provides a theoretical survey of the trends in East Asian international relations. He investigates crucial events in the history of the area from the decay of the Chinese world order in the nineteenth century to the vanishing of superpower rivalry and the emergence of a regional multipolarity in the post-Cold War era. By viewing the region through a historical analysis, Power Competition in East Asia serves as a systematic resource for anyone interested in the evolution of power relations in one of the most dynamic areas in the world today.

This book explores how the Quad Plus mechanism is set to reshape the global multilateral economic and security co-operations between Quad partner countries and the rest of the world. With the Quad partners – Australia, India, Japan and the United States – seeing deteriorating ties with China, the book provides a holistic understanding of the reasons why Quad Plus matters and what it means for the post-COVID Indo-Pacific and Asian order. It goes beyond the existing literature of the global Post-COVID reality and examines how Quad Plus can grow and find synergy with national and multilateral Indo-Pacific initiatives. The chapters analyze the mechanism’s uncharacteristic yet active approach of including countries like South Korea, Israel, Brazil, New Zealand and ASEAN/Vietnam for their successful handling of the pandemic crisis, thereby reshaping the new world’s geopolitical vision. A unique study focused solely on the intricacies and the broader dialogue of the ‘Quad Plus’ narrative, the book caters to strategic audiences as well as academics researching International Relations, Politics, and Indo-Pacific and Asian Studies.

The book emanates from the geopolitical and geo-economic churning and transformations set in motion by the unprecedented economic rise of China resulting in its expanding political influence across the region and the world. In both the economic and the security realms, the United States and China alike are increasingly seen contesting in shaping the Indo-Pacific regional order to their own advantage. This book unfolds the contours and dimensions of China’s responses to various multilateral initiatives of the US and its friends and allies like Japan, Australia, and India and, to some extent, even ASEAN. While China’s medium-term strategy envisages a non-hostile external environment in order to focus on domestic priorities; reducing dependence of littoral nations of the Indo-Pacific region on America while increasing their engagement and dependence on China. China's expanding reach and influence overseas has resulted in US-led initiatives being China-focused inviting a response from China where adverse reactions have become increasingly palpable.