Beyond the First Island Chain: China’s Incremental Indo-Pacific Presence Strategy
The source assesses China will intensify defense and security activity beyond the First Island Chain through persistent, incremental deployments across the Southwest Pacific, Indian Ocean, and Australia’s maritime approaches. Rather than overt escalation, the approach emphasizes normalization, layered instruments (navy, coast guard, survey and militia vessels), and legally framed operations that cumulatively expand access and operational freedom.