Offshore Balancing of China
Walt posits that offshore balancing is the most desirable strategy when dealing with China. He predicts that China will attempt to bully its weaker neighbours into adopting policies that don't threaten Beijing's interest. In 2011 Walt argued that China will seek to gain regional hegemony and a broad sphere of influence in Asia which was comparable in size to the USA's position in the western hemisphere. If this happens, he predicts that China would be secure enough on the mainland to give added attention to shaping events to its favour in far flung areas. Given that China is resource poor, the nation will likely aim to safeguard vital sea lanes in areas such as the Persian Gulf.
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