Dr. Hu Bo (Research Fellow, SIS, PKU) examines the political and strategic implications of the QUAD’s announcement of joint coast guard patrols under the“Wilmington Declaration.”Read full in Chinese:https://opinion.huanqiu.com/article/4JdzWXK8sgU
Dr. Hu argues that the Quad’s coast guard patrol plan reflects the U.S.’s attempt to bolster maritime security under the “Indo-Pacific Partnership for Maritime Domain Awareness.” Announced during Biden’s final Quad summit, this initiative targets illegal, unreported and unregulatedfishing (IUU). However, it lacks operational clarity, raising concerns about its actual effectiveness and intentions.
Dr. Hu notes that the plan mirrors past U.S. interventions in smaller nations. By using “ship-rider agreements,” the U.S. bypasses sovereignty issues to operate in Pacific Island waters. The Quad’s involvement amplifies U.S. influence but risks replicating destabilizing interventions under the guise of cooperation.
Dr. Hu cautions that the initiative escalates U.S.-Chinastrategiccompetition, extending tensions across the Indo-Pacific. While unlikely to shift power balances, the plan complicates regional stability and challenges efforts to manage bilateral competition. Operational hurdles, including differing priorities and limited coast guard capacities, hinder meaningful progress.
Dr. Hu emphasizes that the patrol locations will be critical. Activities near China could provoke retaliation, while less strategic areas risk undermining allies’ confidence. Without clear coordination, the initiative may remain symbolic rather than impactful.
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