International Political Reality Competition Under The Vertical And Horizontal Strategy In China

Vertical and horizontal alliance strategies are important parts of strategic wisdom duringWarring States period in ancient China. My dissertation classifies these strategic thoughts andcompares them with Western strategic theories, such as theories of hegemony, alliance and balanceof power. Upon this comparison, I will analyze the US’s security strategy towards China in scopeof both Asia Pacific and the Globe. By contrast, I will evaluate the efficiency of thecountermeasures China takes.There is no doubt that US’s security strategy towards China is based on the horizontalalliance theory. With its focus on the Asia Pacific region, by fortifying its bilateral alliance system,US is seeking a hybrid of containment and engagement stance with China. On the other hand, USbacks vertical alliance theory when it comes to the issue of South China Sea. It helps forge avertical alliance of other South China Sea claimants against China. China, on the other side, seeksvertical alliances with other emerging centers of influence, such as Russia and other BRICScountries. Confronting the vertical alliance on the issue of South China Sea, China could make useof the horizontal alliance strategy to disrupt and dissolve the united front.By comparing the strategy of vertical and horizontal alliance, I reach the conclusion that thelatter is more effective than the former in terms of feasibility and execution. US is unparalleledin comprehensive national power, which endows it an incomparable advantage to utilize thehorizontal alliance strategy. On the contrary, China’s vertical alliance strategy has to cope withsome difficulties. The alternative strategy for China is to forge vertical alliance in someadvantageous spheres and create horizontal alliance more frequently on occasions of South ChinaSea disputes and between US allies.