La puissance maritime : un enjeu du XXIème siècle I Le dessous des cartes I ARTE

Le Dessous des Cartes - ARTE

14 Sept 202412:21

Summary

TLDRThis episode of 'Dessous des Cartes' delves into the strategic importance of maritime power, highlighting China's naval expansion and its quest to rival the US Navy. It traces the history of naval dominance from ancient civilizations to modern superpowers, emphasizing the economic and military significance of controlling the seas. The show discusses current naval forces, with the US and China leading, and explores economic activities like shipping, shipbuilding, and undersea cable networks. It also touches on the geopolitical implications of sea rights, as defined by the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, and the growing importance of renewable energy from offshore wind farms.

Takeaways

🌍 China has been strategically utilizing the sea to expand its power, particularly through the colonization of disputed islands in the South China Sea.
🚢 The Chinese Navy has been rapidly modernizing, with the launch of the Liaoning aircraft carrier in 2013 and subsequent construction of more powerful vessels, aiming to rival the U.S. Navy's global dominance.
🌊 Oceans cover more than two-thirds of the Earth's surface and have historically been crucial for connecting continents and peoples, with maritime powers emerging since the 4th millennium BCE.
🏴‍☠️ The Dutch Republic became the first global maritime power in the 16th century, establishing a vast commercial empire through naval superiority and efficient trade practices.
🇬🇧 The United Kingdom succeeded the Dutch as the dominant maritime power, known as the 'Empress of the Seas,' with a powerful navy and extensive colonial territories.
🇺🇸 After World War II, the United States emerged as the leading naval power, deploying fleets and naval bases worldwide to protect strategic and economic interests and ensure global maritime freedom.
🛳️ The modern naval landscape is marked by a global rearmament, with China's rise challenging the U.S. in the Asia-Pacific region, leading to a new naval arms race.
📊 The Chinese Navy has surpassed the U.S. Navy in the number of ships, with 229 principal vessels compared to 192 for the U.S., reflecting China's aggressive naval expansion.
🔄 The United States maintains superiority in terms of tonnage and strategic assets like nuclear submarines and aircraft carriers, which are crucial for power projection.
🌐 Other nations like Russia, India, and France are also active in naval affairs, modernizing their fleets and asserting their presence in various maritime regions.

Q & A

What does the initial image of Chinese propaganda signify in the video?
-The image of Chinese propaganda, with Xi Jinping at the center, signifies China's focus on expanding its naval power, particularly by colonizing islands that do not belong to it. The image highlights China's ambition to dominate the seas as part of its larger strategy to challenge the U.S. naval supremacy.
Why is China building more powerful aircraft carriers?
-China is building more powerful aircraft carriers to strengthen its naval presence and challenge the United States' global maritime dominance. This is part of a broader strategy to increase its regional influence and secure economic and military advantages.
How does the history of global maritime powers evolve according to the video?
-The history of global maritime powers evolves from ancient seafaring civilizations like the Polynesians, Phoenicians, and Cretois, to the rise of European powers. The Netherlands established the first global commercial empire in the 16th century, followed by the British Empire in the 18th century, and finally, the United States emerged as the dominant naval power after World War II.
What role does maritime trade play in the modern world?
-Maritime trade is crucial to the global economy, with 90% of goods transported by sea. As global commerce has increased, securing sea routes and ports has become essential for economic stability and growth.
What are China's strategic objectives in expanding its naval power?
-China's strategic objectives in expanding its naval power include asserting dominance in the South China Sea, challenging U.S. influence in the Indo-Pacific region, securing economic routes like the Maritime Silk Road, and protecting its national interests around Taiwan.
What is the significance of Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) in global maritime power?
-Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) are significant because they grant nations the right to exploit marine resources, such as fishing, oil, and gas, within 200 nautical miles of their coastlines. The U.S. and France hold the largest EEZs, giving them substantial economic and strategic advantages in marine resource management.
How has the global shipbuilding industry shifted geographically?
-The global shipbuilding industry has shifted from Europe to Asia, with countries like South Korea, Japan, and China now leading in the construction of bulk carriers, tankers, and container ships.
What role do undersea cables play in global connectivity?
-Undersea cables are critical for global telecommunications, as they carry the vast majority of international data, including phone and internet traffic. Control over these cables allows nations to influence global information flows and communication infrastructure.
How is offshore wind energy connected to global maritime power?
-Offshore wind energy is an emerging field in maritime power, with China leading the world in offshore wind installations. This positions China ahead in the renewable energy race, with the UK and several European countries also investing in offshore wind farms.
What environmental concerns are raised regarding China's fishing practices?
-China is one of the largest fishing nations globally, but its fishing practices are often criticized for being illegal and unsustainable. Chinese fishing fleets are frequently accused of overfishing and violating territorial waters, leading to environmental and territorial disputes.

Outlines

00:00

🌊 China's Naval Ambitions and Maritime Power Struggles

The first paragraph introduces China's growing maritime ambitions, symbolized by a 2013 propaganda image of Xi Jinping and China's first aircraft carrier, Liaoning. The script highlights China's goal of surpassing the U.S. Navy by rapidly expanding its fleet to assert dominance over the world's oceans. Historically, maritime power has been pivotal for empires, from Polynesians to European powers like the Dutch and British, who used naval supremacy to build global empires. The narrative underscores the historical significance of sea control and how it shaped global trade and influence over centuries.

05:02

🚢 U.S. and China's Naval Rivalry in the 21st Century

This section focuses on the current naval rivalry between the United States and China. China's navy has surpassed the U.S. in the number of ships, growing its fleet to 229 main vessels, compared to 192 for the U.S. The paragraph explains how China's naval growth aims to project power in the South China Sea and the Indo-Pacific, challenging U.S. supremacy, particularly around Taiwan. While China leads in ship numbers, the U.S. maintains its dominance in tonnage and strategic vessels like aircraft carriers and nuclear submarines, crucial for projecting power across the globe.

10:06

🌍 Economic and Geopolitical Stakes of Maritime Power

The third paragraph delves into the economic and geopolitical significance of maritime power, focusing on Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs), which grant nations rights over resources within 200 nautical miles of their coastlines. The U.S. holds the largest EEZ, followed by France. The script also touches on the importance of maritime trade, with 90% of global trade transported by sea, and mentions the shift of major ports and shipyards to Asia, especially China. Additionally, it highlights undersea communication cables and offshore wind energy as crucial sectors for economic and strategic control in modern times.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Maritime Power

Maritime power refers to a nation's ability to exert influence or project force through its naval capabilities and control over maritime resources. In the context of the video, maritime power is central to understanding global geopolitics, as it discusses how nations like China and the United States are vying for dominance through naval strength and strategic maritime positioning. The video mentions China's efforts to challenge the United States' naval supremacy, indicating the importance of maritime power in contemporary international relations.

💡China's Naval Expansion

China's naval expansion is a significant aspect of its growing maritime power. The video highlights China's construction of powerful naval vessels, including aircraft carriers like the Liaoning, and its strategic colonization of islands in disputed waters. This expansion is part of China's broader goal to become a dominant force in the 21st century, challenging the status of the United States as the leading global maritime power.

💡United States Navy

The United States Navy is depicted in the video as the current leading maritime force, with a global presence and a network of naval bases. The script discusses how the US Navy maintains its power through a superior fleet, including nuclear submarines and aircraft carriers, which are essential for projecting military power and ensuring strategic interests. The Navy's role in securing global trade routes and protecting economic interests is also emphasized.

💡Maritime Trade

Maritime trade is the exchange of goods across seas and oceans, which is crucial for global commerce. The video script underscores that over 90% of global trade by volume is conducted via maritime transport. This highlights the economic significance of maritime routes and the importance of securing these routes for nations that rely heavily on international trade, such as China, the United States, and European countries.

💡Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)

An Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) is a maritime area beyond a nation's territorial waters where it has special rights to explore and use marine resources. The video explains that the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) defines these zones, which extend up to 200 nautical miles from a country's coast. The script mentions that the United States and France have large EEZs, granting them significant rights to exploit marine resources and develop economic activities within these zones.

💡Naval Arms Race

A naval arms race refers to a competitive buildup of naval forces and weaponry among nations. The video discusses a new naval arms race, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region, driven by China's rise and the need for other nations to modernize their fleets. This arms race is a response to changing geopolitical dynamics and the increasing importance of maritime security in an era of globalized trade and strategic competition.

💡Geopolitical Strategy

Geopolitical strategy involves the application of a nation's power and influence in international relations, particularly in relation to its geographical position and the distribution of power among other nations. The video's discussion of China's maritime expansion and the United States' naval presence reflects geopolitical strategies aimed at securing strategic advantages and protecting national interests in key maritime regions.

💡Maritime Infrastructure

Maritime infrastructure encompasses the physical structures and systems that support maritime activities, such as ports, shipyards, and undersea cables. The video mentions the shift of major ports and shipbuilding industries to Asia, highlighting the growing importance of maritime infrastructure in facilitating global trade and communication. The script also touches on the strategic significance of undersea cables for telecommunications and data transmission.

💡Offshore Energy

Offshore energy refers to the production of energy from sources beneath the sea, such as oil, natural gas, and renewable resources like wind. The video discusses the economic potential of offshore energy, particularly in the context of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which grants nations rights to exploit resources within their EEZs. The script also notes China's advancements in offshore wind energy as part of its broader maritime strategy.

💡Illegal Fishing

Illegal fishing is the act of catching fish without regard for national or international regulations. The video points out China as a major player in global fishing, often engaging in illegal practices that have territorial and environmental implications. This keyword highlights the challenges of managing marine resources sustainably and the need for international cooperation to address overfishing and protect marine ecosystems.

Highlights

China has chosen the sea as a favored ground for its power, colonizing islands that do not belong to it.

China aims to dethrone the U.S. Navy from its status as the world leader in the 21st century.

More than two-thirds of the Earth's surface is covered by seas and oceans, which separate and connect continents and peoples.

The oldest maritime power in human history began in the 4th millennium BCE in the Pacific with Polynesian navigators.

The Dutch established a commercial empire across three oceans in the 16th century, thanks to their naval superiority.

The British became the 'Empress of the Seas' in the 18th century, with the Royal Navy expanding across all continents.

After World War II, the United States emerged as the world's leading naval power, projecting its power across all oceans.

The Soviet Navy was the second global power until the end of the Cold War, after which naval forces from both blocs declined.

A new naval battle has emerged since the 2010s, with China's rise in power in the Asia-Pacific region prompting a global rearmament of fleets.

Recent conflicts often have a maritime dimension, such as the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the war in the Red Sea.

Naval forces must secure the oceans, which have become highways for goods with 90% of global trade volume occurring via maritime transport.

The U.S. and China dominate the oceans, with the Chinese navy surpassing the U.S. in the number of ships.

China's naval objectives are both economic and military, aiming to establish regional power in the South China Sea and challenge U.S. supremacy in the Pacific.

The U.S. Navy maintains superiority in tonnage and strategic ship types like nuclear submarines and aircraft carriers.

Other states like Russia, India, and France defend their naval ranks to continue to matter in the global naval battle.

Maritime power is not only military but also includes economic activities related to the sea such as ports, shipping, shipbuilding, and energy resources.

The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, signed in 1982, defines the international framework for sharing waters beyond territorial waters.

The U.S. has the largest Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in the world, followed by France, conferring significant economic advantages.

The European Union is a key actor in maritime transport, with a significant number of commercial ships flying EU flags and Europeans in the top 4 of the world's largest container ship owners.

Controlling undersea telecommunications cables is crucial for controlling information flow in the digital economy.

Offshore wind power is a growing sector where China has taken the lead, tripling the number of offshore wind farms in recent years.

Fishing is a major maritime issue, with China being one of the largest fishing nations, often engaging in illegal fishing practices.