Since the Tiananmen Square protests in 1989, when Chinese students called for political reform, which resulted in a massacre in which hundreds died, Beijing has done little to shed its ‘dictatorial and bullying reputation. In 2020, President Xi Jinping’s administration approved a new law ensuring that only people it deems ‘patriots can govern the former British colony of Hong Kong’ and clamped down on any form of antigovernment protest. The new security law introduced in 2020, caused concern across Hong Kong amid fears that it would impact all areas of life. China has also closed down internet sites they do not approve of. In early 2021, Hong Kong’s internet service provider confirmed that they had blocked access to a prodemocracy website that documented incidents that took place during the 2019 pro-democracy protests. Social media users in Hong Kong reported that the website of Taiwan’s Transitional Justice Commission, an independent government agency, had also become inaccessible within Hong Kong - highlighting China’s fears of free and democratic Hong Kong. Growth in maritime force is central to Beijing’s bold economic ambitions and the ‘Rise of the Dragon’ is growing at a pace. Access to global oceans is critical to Beijing’s economic strategy alongside an expanding navy which is increasingly seen as adopting an aggressive and intimidating position towards its neighbours. In just over four decades, the navy, officially known as the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN), has developed a strong blue-water fleet of frigates, destroyers, submarines and carriers as it strives to be the pre-eminent military power in the world. China is attempting to spread its political agenda and aiming to expand its capability with plans for new overseas bases to provide naval support facilities for Chinese naval power beyond the Pacific.
This huge investment comes as the communist party seeks to project control across the Pacific and beyond to dominate maritime trade and secure its future economy, using its naval power. Beijing has
