The Global Commons & the Reconstruction of Sino-U.S. Military Relations

Li Yan

Asia Paper March 1, 2012, pp. 35

The “global commons,” which refers mainly to the sea, the skies, outer
space and cyberspace, has become more and more congested and contested
in recent years. Stable and dependable access to the global commons is
vital to the international economy and to international security. The global
commons should be kept secure and open. However, as the major powers
invest in upgrades of their armed forces and accelerate the development of
new weapons systems for the purpose of competing for predominance, the
global commons has become contested. Non-state actors such as pirates and
“hacktivists” also threaten the security and openness of the global commons.This paper discusses the Global Commons from a Chinese perspective.

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