China's string of pearls strategy: implications to Japan in the straits of Malacca Zulkifli Noraini, (PhD Candidate), Alatas Sharifah Munirah, (PhD), Othman Zarina, (PhD) Program of International Relation and Strategy, Department of History, Politics and Strategy, National University of Malaysia, 43600, Bangi, Selangor Online published on 21 April, 2016. Abstract China has been using the Straits of Malacca as its main route for importing raw materials and exporting its products. Due to its position on the Straits of Malacca as a main route for trading ships, China is very concerned about the maritime security in the Straits because of non-traditional crimes such as maritime piracy, smuggling and terrorism. What are the actions taken by China based on the String of Pearls strategy and its implications towards Japan? This paper will attempt to explain the mechanisms taken by China to protect its national interests in the Straits of Malacca between 2005 and 2012. It has three objectives: namely 1) to describe the importance of the Straits of Malacca to China; 2) to discuss the String of Pearls strategy in the Straits of Malacca; and 3) to discuss the implications of the String of Pearls strategy towards Japan. This study will use both primary and secondary data. Primary data was collected from structured interviews involving ten informants in various professional fields that are directly involved in maritime security in the Straits of Malacca. Secondary data was collected from literature reviews based on scientific publications, theses, journal articles, and online material, such as newspaper articles. Primary data was also obtained from professional respondents from abroad through electronic media such as email. The findings of this study show that, to protect its national interests, China has had to modernize its military capabilities, especially its naval power, as well as to strengthen diplomatic ties with the littoral states. Top Keywords China, Defence, Japan, Straits of Malacca, String of Pearls. Top |