美國在南海地區非戰爭軍事行動之研究(2009-2020)

美國在中東冗長的打擊恐怖主義戰爭中，國力及財力的巨大損耗使得美國進而將戰略重心轉向亞洲，其戰略方針也從歐巴馬時期的「重返亞洲」、「亞太再平衡」到川普時期的「印太戰略」，運用政治外交、經濟貿易雙軸的方式與印太國家簽訂雙邊、多邊合作與區域的經濟合作夥伴關係，提升亞太地區事務的主導權及地區的影響能力，重整美國的霸權地位。而中國的崛起也是美國戰略東移的考量因素，中國也是運用經濟路線(一帶一路)、軍事路線(亞丁灣護航、聯合國維和部隊、海外基地軍事建設)同步由太平洋經由麻六甲海峽向印度洋擴展，而這個同步路線的海上起點就在南海，南海位居太平洋與印度洋間的戰略要衝，也是亞洲各國石油運輸的重要海上交通線。近年來南海區域內各聲索國對南海島礁主權聲張的爭奪越演越烈，中國也積極在南海各島礁展開填海造陸工程，並構建軍事基地與機場，其明顯企圖必然是確保在南海的軍事優勢及維護南海主權利益。美國也認知南海的戰略地位，表達南海地區的穩定將影響美國國家利益，故積極的介入南海的爭議當中，運用國際法與非戰爭軍事行動手段在南海地區遂行自由航行/飛航任務與聯合軍事演習，阻斷中國向外擴張野心。

關鍵字

印太戰略；南海；非戰爭軍事行動；自由航行任務；聯合軍演

並列摘要

During the lengthy US war against terrorism in the Middle East, the huge loss of national power and financial resources caused the US to shift its strategic focus to Asia. Its strategic policy has also changed from "Pivot to East Asia" and "Rebalance toward Asia-Pacific Region" during the Obama era to "Indo-Pacific Strategy" during the Trump era. The "Indo-Pacific Strategy" uses both political diplomatic and economic trade to facilitate bilateral and multilateral cooperation and regional economic partnerships with Indo-Pacific countries to enhance the dominance of Asia-Pacific affairs and the ability to influence the region and to keep the hegemony of the United States. Meanwhile, the rise of China was also taken into consideration for the reason of its east-bound strategy. China was maneuvering both economic (Belt and Road Initiative, BRI) and military (the convoy in Gulf of Aden, the United Nation peacekeeping force and foreign military constructions) footprints and simultaneously increased its expansion along the route from Pacific to Indian Ocean region through Malacca Strait, which initiated from South China Sea (SCS). The SCS is in the essential strategic location where an important Sea Line of Communication (SLOC) for petroleum transportation in Asia. The disputes within the countries claiming sovereignty in SCS were getting more aggressive in recent years and China was actively enhancing its artificial island buildup in SCS including military facilities and airports, which is obvious so as to maintain its military superiority and defend its sovereignty interest. The U.S. also recognized the strategic value of SCS, articulating the stability in SCS has impacts on the U.S. national interest, which caused the U.S. actively involving in relevant disputes, exercising international laws and Military Operations Other Than War (MOOTW) approach to conduct Freedom of Navigation Operations (FONOPs), and joint military exercises to deter China’s expansion.