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

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.