National interests in the Indo-Pacific: VCE Politics Unit 4
“The four national interests shared by Indo-Pacific states (security, economic prosperity, regional relationships and regional standing) and how a selected state defines them”
Indo-Pacific states share four broad interests: security, economic prosperity, regional relationships and regional standing. They interact, change over time and are contested within and between states. For your selected state, define each interest and support it with a dated action from the last 10 years.
Jump to a section
What this dot point is asking
You must analyse the national interests of your selected state under four headings: security, economic prosperity, relationships in the region and regional standing. The design notes that interests inform and justify domestic and foreign policy, are often multifaceted and changeable, and are subject to competing perspectives.
The answer
The four interests
- Security. Defence of territory, people and sovereignty from military and non-traditional threats.
- Economic prosperity. Trade, investment, energy and resource security, and growth.
- Regional relationships. Alliances, partnerships and membership of regional bodies.
- Regional standing. Status, reputation and influence, including how others see the state.
These interests overlap. A defence deal can serve security and relationships; a trade deal can serve prosperity and standing. Show the overlaps instead of treating each interest in isolation.
Examples by state (recent evidence)
| State | Security | Economic prosperity | Relationships | Standing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| China | Sovereignty claims including Taiwan and the South China Sea | Trade, technology, access to markets | Partnerships across Southeast Asia, Pacific; Russia | Great-power status |
| Japan | Commitment to bring defence spending to about 2 percent of GDP in fiscal 2025; revision of strategy documents planned | Trade, supply chain resilience | United States alliance, Quad, Australia, Philippines | Rules-based order advocate |
| India | Border security with China and Pakistan | Growth, energy, trade deals | Quad, strategic autonomy, ties with Russia | Voice of the Global South, major power aspirant |
| Indonesia | Maritime sovereignty, internal stability | Growth, resource processing | ASEAN centrality, "free and active" foreign policy, BRICS membership from 2025 | Leader of Southeast Asia |
| United States | Deterring Taiwan conflict, alliance network | Trade, tariffs, technology | Allies and partners, burden sharing | Leadership |
Use these as prompts only. Replace them with facts and dates from your own case study.
Defined and changing
Interests change with leaders and circumstances. For example, Japan's prime minister's remarks in November 2025 on Taiwan changed the relationship with China. Indonesia's November 2024 joint statement with China, which appeared to acknowledge overlapping maritime claims, drew domestic criticism, and Jakarta insisted its position was unchanged. These cases show that interests are interpreted, contested and reshaped.
Write interests as claims you can prove: "[State] prioritises [interest] because [factor], shown by [dated action]."
Worked example
Question. Analyse two national interests of your selected state.
Model answer (Japan). Security: Japan has raised defence spending, committing to about 2 percent of GDP in fiscal 2025 and planning to revise its strategic documents, in response to regional threats. Regional relationships: Japan deepened ties with Australia, signing a contract in April 2026 for upgraded Mogami-class frigates for the Royal Australian Navy. Both actions link to Japan's perception of a more dangerous region, and each strengthens the other: stronger capability makes Japan a more valuable partner.
Do not copy a generic list of interests. The marks go to explaining how your state defines them and how its actions follow.
Try this
- Q1
- Name the four interests listed in the design. Model answer: Security, economic prosperity, regional relationships and regional standing.
- Q2
- Explain how two interests can overlap. Model answer: A defence partnership can serve security and regional relationships at once.
- Q3
- Why are national interests described as changeable? Model answer: They are interpreted by governments, who change over time, and circumstances such as new threats or crises alter priorities.