The balance of power in the Asia-Pacific region is changing. How should the UK respond?

This report is organised around three overarching observations about the changing importance of the ‘Far East’ in international affairs and its particular significance to the UK. First, it challenges the use of ‘Far East’ as the lens through which to consider the future role of the UK in the region. Second, the study sets forth the reasons for the importance of an ‘Indo-Pacific’ framework to UK strategy, to help define the nature and scope of the country’s interests east of Suez. Third, the report outlines the UK’s required defence posture and core capabilities in order to play a meaningful and sustainable security role in this part of the world.