The rise of Asian maritime power is a sequel to Rising Powers in Asia. Maritime power in the age of globalisation has been a critical instrument for the emergence of the latent powers and capabilities of the once pre-eminent ‘civilisational states’ in the contemporary international order. It is important to note here that the rise and fall of maritime power determined the rise and fall of ancient civilisations.
Maritime power in its essence constitutes the lateral capacity for internal economic, technological, industrial and commercial growth by enabling the state to expand its maritime trade, and for power projection.