An Assessment of the Effect and Prospect of the US Indo-Pacific Strategy

Since the Trump administration,the national security strategy of the United States has focused on addressing the major power competition and regarded China as its main strategic competitor,which has been profoundly reflected in its introduction of the Indo-Pacific Strategy.The United States has certain resource advantages in the process of advancing the Indo-Pacific Strategy,and has made some progress of it.Nonetheless,the prospect of the strategy does not entirely depend on the will and action of the United States,but also on the joint action of other elements.

An Analysis of the Biden Administration’s Pacific Partnership Strategy

The Pacific island countries(PICs)1 are located in the region China regards in its diplomacy of broader-sense bordering regions.It is also a key region in the US Indo-Pacific Strategy.The PICs have gained more importance in the US comprehensive strategic competition with China since Joe Biden became US president.

India and the Indo-Pacific Strategy Vision： Orientation, Involvement and Limits

In 2017, the Trump administration formally articulated its vision for the Indo-Pacific strategy, replacing "Asia-Pacific" with"Indo-Pacific"in policy papers and taking measures to promote the realization of an "Indo-Pacific dream". This represents a significant adjustment in US regional policies. An important power in the Indian Ocean region, India is perceived as key to the successful implementation of this Indo-Pacific strategy. Generally speaking, the current Indian government and strategy circle actively support the upgrading of the"Indo-Pacific"concept from a geographical and academic term to a US vision for foreign strategies, anticipating that India could garner significant strategic benefits from it. Given this, New Delhi will continually adapt its foreign policies to the US Indo-Pacific strategy and may even direct the development of the strategy to counter the Belt and Road Initiative, work with other nations to balance China's influence and finally make the rise of India as a great power a reality. Nonetheless, the Indo-pacific strategy is in its early stages, and the content is not completely pro-India currently. On top of this India is still skeptical of the US and will proceed cautiously, leaving room for maneuver in the future,fully tapping into the benefits of the Indo-Pacific strategy and avoiding direct confrontation with China.

The US Strategy of Competitive Infrastructure Investment in the Indo-Pacific Region

Since the Trump administration put forward the concept of Indo-Pacific,and even before the recent release of the Indo-Pacific Strategy Report,the United States’Indo-Pacific strategy has consistently been a hotly discussed and heavily researched topic in the strategic and academic communities of China and abroad.Various works have investigated the background of Washington’s proposal and its underlying intention,as well as the geopolitical connotations and future prospects of the strategy.

India＇ s Advance East Strategy and Its Indo-Pacific Diplomacy

India's eastward advancement began in the early 1990s. It was then called the"Look East"policy, and was later upgraded in name to the"Act East"policy in 2014. Over the past 25 years, India's"Advance East"strategy has continued to expand, undergoing a compound evolution and upgrade from economy to security, from bilateral to multilateral, from the ASEAN region to East Asia and further onto the Asia-Pacific region,which has been reflected in the rise in India's national strength and regional influence, more and more become an important pillar in India's diplomatic strategy. Nonetheless, the traditional development trends of India's eastward advancement are being affected by the newly emerging Indo-Pacific diplomacy strategies and achievements. India's Indo-Pacific diplomacy was born out of its Advance East strategy, though not limited to advancement east; the core demand of India has always been to merge into the Asia-Pacific region. In other words, India's Advance East strategy is an important pivot for its Indo-Pacific diplomacy. The reliance of India's Indo-Pacific diplomacy on major power diplomacy has impacted the core position of ASEAN in its Advance East strategy, while the element of containing China in India's Indo-Pacific diplomacy will dilute its intention to cooperate with China. This is also manifested in its Advance East strategy.

Variation of Indo-Pacific upper ocean heat content during 2001–2012 revealed by Argo

Understanding of the temporal variation of oceanic heat content （OHC） is of fundamental importance to the prediction of climate change and associated global meteorological phenomena. However, OHC characteristics in the Pacific and Indian oceans are not well understood. Based on in situ ocean temperature and salinity profiles mainly from the Argo program, we estimated the upper layer （0-750 m） OHC in the Indo-Pacific Ocean （40°S-40°N, 30°E-80°W）. Spatial and temporal variability of OHC and its likely physical mechanisms are also analyzed. Climatic distributions of upper-layer OHC in the Indian and Pacific oceans have a similar saddle pattern in the subtropics, and the highest OHC value was in the northern Arabian Sea. However, OHC variabilities in the two oceans were different. OHC in the Pacific has an east-west see-saw pattern, which does not appear in the Indian Ocean. In the Indian Ocean, the largest change was around 10°S. The most interesting phenomenon is that, there was a long-term shift of OHC in the Indo-Pacific Ocean during 2001-2012. Such variation coincided with modulation of subsurface temperature/salinity. During 2001-2007, there was subsurface cooling （freshening） nearly the entire upper 400 m layer in the western Pacific and warming （salting） in the eastern Pacific. During 2008-2012, the thermocline deepened in the western Pacific but shoaled in the east. In the Indian Ocean, there was only cooling （upper 150 m only） and freshening （almost the entire upper 400 m） during 2001-2007. The thermocline deepened during 2008-2012 in the Indian Ocean. Such change appeared from the equator to off the equator and even to the subtropics （about 20°N/S） in the two oceans. This long-term change of subsurface temperature/salinity may have been caused by change of the wind field over the two oceans during 2001-2012, in turn modifying OHC.

Determinants of overweight and obesity and preventive strategies in Pacific countries: a systematic review

Objective:This study aimed to explore more on contributing factors and prevention of overweight and obesity among Pacific islanders.Methods:Using Cochrane library guideline,four electronic databases,PubMed,Embase,Scopus and CINAHL,were systematically searched from 2010 to 2020.Search strategy included key concepts,free text terms,and database-controlled vocabulary terms to identify articles on determinants and preventative strategies of overweight and obesity in the Pacific countries.A data extraction sheet was developed to extract relevant information required for analysis and theme development for this study.Results:A total of 22 articles were summarized and categorized.Determinants of overweight and obesity identified two themes:environmental related factors 13.6%(3/22)and sociocultural related factors 27.3%(6/22).The preventative strategies of overweight and obesity was categorized into behavioural change 22.7%(5/22),school-related 18.2%(4/22),and policies 50%(11/22).The quality assessment of articles showed“Good”68.2%(15/22),and“Fair”31.8%(7/22).Conclusion:This study highlighted two contributing,non-medication factors affecting overweight and obesity are both environmental and socio-cultural issues.Overweight and obesity preventative strategies identified in the Pacific context considered behavioural change,knowledge enhancement,and policy development.Further research should aim at exploring the current preventative strategies in-depth,to appreciate the most feasible and recommended preventative approach within the Pacific society.

Boreal Winter Rainfall Anomaly over the Tropical Indo-Pacific and Its Effect on Northern Hemisphere Atmospheric Circulation in CMIP5 Models

Experimental outputs of 11 Atmospheric Model Intercomparison Project （AMIP） models from phase 5 of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project （CMIP5） are analyzed to assess the atmospheric circulation anomaly over Northern Hemisphere induced by the anomalous rainfall over tropical Pacific and Indian Ocean during boreal winter.The analysis shows that the main features of the interannual variation of tropical rainfall anomalies,especially over the Central Pacific （CP） （5°S-5°N,175°E-135°W） and Indo-western Pacific （IWP） （20°S-20°N,110°-150°E） are well captured in all the CMIP5/AMIP models.For the IWP and western Indian Ocean （WIO） （10°S-10°N,45°-75°E）,the anomalous rainfall is weaker in the 11 CMIP5/AMIP models than in the observation.During El Ni（n）o/La Ni（n）a mature phases in boreal winter,consistent with observations,there are geopotential height anomalies known as the Pacific North American （PNA） pattern and Indo-western Pacific and East Asia （IWPEA） pattern in the upper troposphere,and the northwestern Pacific anticyclone （cyclone） （NWPA） in the lower troposphere in the models.Comparison between the models and observations shows that the ability to simulate the PNA and NWPA pattern depends on the ability to simulate the anomalous rainfall over the CP,while the ability to simulate the IWPEA pattern is related to the ability to simulate the rainfall anomaly in the IWP and WIO,as the SST anomaly is same in AMIP experiments.It is found that the tropical rainfall anomaly is important in modeling the impact of the tropical Indo-Pacific Ocean on the extratropical atmospheric circulation anomaly.

Marine Scientific Research in South Pacific in the Perspective of Marine Strategy

As an important marine enterprise, marine scientific research serves to national marine strategy. Since the 21st century, with the development of international geopolitics, South Pacific in becoming an important sea area, so the marine scientific research in this sea area is becoming hot points. At present, extraterritorial nations including Germany, America, China and UK are conducting marine scientific research in this sea area mainly because of its abundant deep-sea resources, the need to protect marine environment and serving for marine strategic access. With deep-sea＇s technology improving continually, deep-sea resources in South Pacific will be explored further, marine scientific research cooperation＇s potential for extraterritorial nations will be great, so more and more nations will involve in conducting marine scientific research in South Pacific. As far as China is concerned, marine scientific research is not only the basis for it to practice marine strategy in South Pacific region, but also the important topic for it to cooperate with extraterritorial nations and pacific islands nations.

Barriers and Strategies to Prevent HIV/AIDS among Pacific Countries: A Systematic Review Study

Introduction: While the prevalence of HIV/AIDS is shown to be decreasing in the last few decades, it still remains a serious public health issue in Pacific countries. This study is aimed to review the common barriers and also preventive strategies for HIV/AIDS among Pacific Islanders. Methodology: This systematic review study on HIV/AIDS was developed based on the Cochrane Library Guideline. Seven online databases which were more frequently used in finding relevant studies were used to search literatures. Using relevant key words, all studies found in the search were reviewed by two independent reviewers and their quality and relevance were assessed. All previous qualitative and quantitative published articles included in the study were published from 2000 to 2016 and in the English language. A data extraction sheet was developed and a descriptive statistic was used to analyze the data. Results: Twenty-two studies met the study inclusion and exclusion criteria. Many of the studies were conducted in American Pacific countries (50%). Community-based studies were the most common type of studies (72.7%). In quantitative studies, the most common barriers were lack of accessibility to health services and lack of knowledge, while in the qualitative studies they were cultural barriers and access to health services. Educational trainings on sexual health topics were identified as the main preventive strategy. Conclusion: This study highlights the main barriers of HIV/AIDS among Pacific Islanders. It also provides a guide for decision makers to develop and implement new strategies which are sensitive and based on Pacific cultures and beliefs.

A HOMOGENEOUS MODEL OF UPPER LAYER CIRCULATION IN INDO-PACIFIC REGION

A homogeneous model is proposed to study the upper layer circulation in the Indo-Pacific region,the sources of the Indonesian throughflow (TF) and the North Equatorial Countercurrent (NECC), and the relations of the the with the North Equatorial Current (NEC) and the South Equatorial Current (SEC). The results revealed that the upper layer circulaton, as part of the Pacific Ocean general circulation, is mainly controlled by geostrophic balance; that the NECC’s volume transport is mainly sup plied by the NEC, and its variation has closer relation to the NEC than the SEC; that the TF, whose volume transport is jointly supplied by the NEC through the Mindanao Current (MC) and the SEC, with the NEC being the first source, has significant influence on the circulation structure; and that a large Celebes Sea cyclonic circulation not mentioned elsewhere so far, exists in the calculated results.

Upper Ocean Hydrology in the Indo-Pacific Warm Pool During the Late Holocene,Early Holocene and Last Glacial Maximum

We examined sediment samples from twenty-four stations in the Indo-Pacific warm pool(IPWP)region. Our objective is to provide a better understanding of changes in the IPWP and related tropical climatic phenomena such as East Asian-Australian monsoon and El Ni(?)o-Southern Oscillation(ENSO),through improving spatial coverage of proxy records.In order

Proper Management of the Asia-Pacific Affairs—— On the Division-and-integration of the Asia-Pacific Region and the Regional Integration Strategy

The international administrative theory is the essential tool of the international and regional integration,but it lacks macro reference of history. Based on the regional society system of ancient China,this paper discusses international administrative tools including countries,nations and people,and makes comparison of the economic capital,administrative organization and institutional norm of Europe,America and Asia. Through research,this paper concludes that the regional theory of China has both historic and practical significance.

A Comparison of Polar Vortex Response to Pacific and Indian Ocean Warming

During recent decades, the tropical Indo-Pacific Ocean has become increasingly warmer. Meanwhile, both the northern and southern hemispheric polar vortices （NPV and SPV） have exhibited a deepening trend in boreal winter. Although previous studies have revealed that the tropical Indian Ocean warming （IOW） favors an intensifying NPV and a weakening SPV, how the tropical Pacific Ocean warming （POW） influences the NPV and SPV remains unclear. In this study, a comparative analysis has been conducted through ensemble atmospheric general circulation model （AGCM） experiments. The results show that, for the Northern Hemisphere, the two warmings exerted opposite impacts in boreal winter, in that the IOW intensified the NPV while the POW weakened the NPV. For the Southern Hemisphere, both the IOW and POW warmed the southern polar atmosphere and weakened the SPV. A diagnostic analysis based on the vorticity budget revealed that such an interhemispheric difference in influences from the IOW and POW in boreal winter was associated with different roles of transient eddy momentum flux convergence between the hemispheres. Furthermore, this difference may have been linked to different strengths of stationary wave activity between the hemispheres in boreal winter.

An aftereffect of global warming on tropical Pacific decadal variability

Studies have shown that global warming over the past six decades can weaken the tropical Pacific Walker circulation and maintain the positive phase of the Interdecadal Pacific Oscillation （IPO）. Based on observations and model simulations, another aftereffect of global warming on IPO is found. After removing linear trends （global warming signals） from observations, however, the tropical Pacific climate still exhibited some obvious differences between two IPO negative phases. The boreal winter （DJF） equatorial central-eastern Pacific sea surface temperature （SST） was colder during the 1999-2014 period （P2） than that during 1961-1976 （P 1）. This difference may have been a result of global warming nonlinear modulation of precipitation; i.e., in the climatological rainy region, the core area of the tropical Indo-westem Pacific warm pool receives more precipitation through the ＂wet-get-wetter＂ mechanism. Positive precipitation anomalies in the warm pool during P2 are much stronger than those during P1, even after subtracting the linear trend. Corresponding to the differences of precipitation, the Pacific Walker circulation is stronger in P2 than in P 1. Consequent easterly winds over the equatorial Pacific led to a colder equatorial eastern--central Pacific during P2. Therefore, tropical Pacific climate differences between the two negative IPO phases are aftereffects of global warming. These aftereffects are supported by the results of coupled climate model experiments, with and without global warming.

“印太战略”框架下美国对太平洋岛国的嵌入式援助

嵌入式援助是指一国在对外援助的过程中,利用本国的政治力量、社会力量和市场力量优势把本国的治理理念、规范制度、治理模式嵌入到受援国的治理架构中,重构受援国治理体系和治理能力,以深度影响受援国治理议程和政策偏好为目标的援助形态。近年来,出于制衡中国崛起、利用太平洋岛国的独特地缘战略价值、护持太平洋霸权和扩展软实力影响的战略需要,美国将太平洋岛国纳入其“印太战略”框架,着力实施嵌入式援助,推动太平洋岛国与美国实现战略耦合,呈现出多主体参与、全政府协同、注重治理经验输出、依赖联盟网络、采用项目外包和嵌入领域广泛的特点。美国的嵌入式援助在本质上就是以柔性、隐蔽和伪善的方式,试图在大国竞争中以治理软实力塑造太平洋岛国的美国认知、治理结构与对外关系,维护其在太平洋岛国的话语影响力和战略控制力,稳定由其主导的“印太秩序”。由于受到自身霸权相对衰落、部分太平洋岛国与美国存在利益冲突以及太平洋岛国的自主性增强等多重因素限制,未来美国对太平洋岛国的嵌入式援助成效将充满不确定性。

泛安全化现象与南亚东南亚政治经济形势演进

新冠肺炎疫情结束后,包括南亚东南亚次区域在内的中国周边地区地缘格局深入演化,区域局势和地区秩序出现了显著变动与重大调整。不论是从区域整体态势变化角度看,还是从区域内主要行为体政治经济形势演进视角分析,南亚东南亚区域受到了国际格局演化驱动方式和方向的强烈影响,尤其是新冠肺炎疫情的演化、美国全球战略调整、俄乌冲突等三大因素影响。后疫情时代的美国对华战略更加极端化,中美博弈加速了中国周边地区力量格局演变与秩序重组。美国凭借联盟体系化优势对中国进行全方位极限施压,加深了中美矛盾。中美斗争外延至中国和周边国家关系,催生出周边多国的对华机会主义策略与选边站队的行为。未来,中国周边地区泛安全化趋势将进一步凸显,中国经略周边的安全挑战将明显增加。

日本对外经济合作与经济安全政策分析

日本强化“印太战略”的经济安全属性,利用美日印澳四边机制,强化与同盟国在经济安全领域合作,并加大经济安全保障政策实施力度。自泡沫经济崩溃后,日本经济发展面临人口老龄化、潜在生产率降低等结构性问题。推动对外经济合作,可促进日本企业构筑全球供应链,改善资源分配效率,吸引国外先进技术,助推日本经济增长。当前日本的对外经济合作与经济安全保障之间存在明显矛盾,未有效统筹两者之间的关系。日本需要加强对外经济合作,特别是加强对中国的经贸合作,以利推动日本经济走出长期低迷、实现地区长期发展繁荣稳定。

耳螺在中国海的北扩:三种耳螺在我国黄海的报道(腹足纲:耳螺科)

2020~2023年,作者在我国黄海沿岸潮间带进行软体动物多样性调查时获取到多个耳螺科标本,通过形态学比较和研究,鉴定为3属3种,分别为:中国耳螺Ellobium chinense(Pfeiffer,1855)、赛氏女教士螺Pythia cecillii(R.A.Philippi,1847)和教徒肋耳螺Laemodonta exaratoides Kawabe,1992。中国耳螺和赛氏女教士螺采自江苏盐城,教徒肋耳螺采自青岛和大连。作者对这3种耳螺进行了分类学描述和报道,其中教徒肋耳螺在我国沿海系首次报道,为中国新记录种。作者基于COⅠ、16S rRNA和H3基因对教徒肋耳螺进行了系统发育分析,确定了该种在耳螺科中的分类地位。耳螺科是典型的暖水性类群,在我国主要见于热带和亚热带海域,之前仅有中国耳螺可向北扩散至黄海南部。该研究中3种耳螺在黄海的发现表明该海域内的耳螺种类在不断增多,且出现了明显的北扩现象。这种现象很可能与全球变暖导致的黄海水温持续升高有关。研究结果不仅丰富了中国海软体动物多样性研究内容,也为更好地理解气候变化背景下软体动物的扩布提供了新的数据和资料。

印度对美国“印太战略”的认知与政策——基于印度新闻界的考察

近年来,美国着力推进“印太战略”,加强与印度的联系,印美两国在安全、外交和经济等领域实现了更深层次的合作,印度对华、对美政策也逐渐变化。在印美合作过程中,印度政府、新闻界和民众三方逐渐形成共识,这既源于印度国内对印度崛起和对华竞争的共同认知,也与印度国内舆论有关。在印美“印太战略”合作的影响下,印度主流新闻媒体均以借助美国“印太战略”发展自身实力、强化对华竞争和增强国际影响力为叙事导向。印度新闻媒体一方面引导舆论,另一方面也受到民众舆论思潮的影响,并将这种舆论诉求传导至政府层面,进而影响政府的行为决策。在新闻的报道与反馈过程中,印度政府、新闻界和民众形成了三方互动机制。印度新闻界利用民粹主义和政党政治,对印度政府的“印太战略”政策制定构成影响,印度政府也可通过对新闻界施加直接或间接影响以引导舆论风向,进而确保民众对印度参与“印太战略”合作的支持。