SATELLITE SURVEILLANCE AND THE SINO-U.S. RIVALRY: IMPLICATIONS FOR REGIONAL SECURITY

Abstract

This study investigates the growing role of satellite surveillance in shaping Sino-U.S. relations and its consequences for regional security. The ever-growing reliance on space-based technologies for intelligence gathering, military operations, and strategic decision-making has surged the competition between China and the United States, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region. By investigating developments in satellite capabilities and their utility in defense and geopolitical strategies, this research highlights the dual-edged nature of satellite surveillance as both a trigger for deterrence and a potential tool for conflict escalation. The study also analyzes how this technological rivalry affects regional stability, alliances, and the broader global security framework. Through a combination of reviews of books, case studies, policy analysis, official reports, journals, and academic theses, the research highlights the urgent need for international structures to manage space-based surveillance technologies and reduce risks of confrontation, using Michel Foucault’s surveillance theory as a foundation. This study adopted systematic literature review, and furthermore, exploratory approach is used to analyze the evolving role of satellite surveillance in Sino-U.S. relations and its implications for regional security. The research design combines qualitative methods with case study analysis, policy evaluation, and journals to provide a comprehensive understanding of the technological, geopolitical, and security dynamics. This investigation enriches the understanding of the complex interplay between technological innovation and geopolitical dynamics in a period of fierce Sino-U.S. competition.

Keywords: Satellite surveillance, Sino-US, Indo-Pacific region, Michel Foucault’s surveillance theory, Regional Security