This article reviews China's engagement in the Indian Ocean Region, implications for international trade and strategies to mitigate its vulnerabilities. Premised on maritime theory, it argues that China's interests in the Indian Ocean will influence its relations with India, extra-regional powers and African states. China is likely to leverage on its presence in the Indian Ocean to boost its levels of international trade volumes, while at the same time forge alternative strategies such as string of pearls, Maritime Silk Road and access through Myanmar to mitigate its vulnerabilities in the region. This article reviews China's engagement in the Indian Ocean Region, implications for international trade and strategies to mitigate its vulnerabilities. Premised on maritime theory, it argues that China's interests in the Indian Ocean will influence its relations with India, extra-regional powers and African states. China is likely to leverage on its presence in the Indian Ocean to boost its levels of international trade volumes, while at the same time forge alternative strategies such as string of pearls, Maritime Silk Road and access through Myanmar to mitigate its vulnerabilities in the region. This article reviews China's engagement in the Indian Ocean Region, implications for international trade and strategies to mitigate its vulnerabilities. Premised on maritime theory, it argues that China's interests in the Indian Ocean will influence its relations with India, extra-regional powers and African states. China is likely to leverage on its presence in the Indian Ocean to boost its levels of international trade volumes, while at the same time forge alternative strategies such as string of pearls, Maritime Silk Road and access through Myanmar to mitigate its vulnerabilities in the region. This article reviews China's engagement in the Indian Ocean Region, implications for international trade and strategies to mitigate its vulnerabilities. Premised on maritime theory, it argues that China's interests in the Indian Ocean will influence its relations with India, extra-regional powers and African states. China is likely to leverage on its presence in the Indian Ocean to boost its levels of international trade volumes, while at the same time forge alternative strategies such as string of pearls, Maritime Silk Road and access through Myanmar to mitigate its vulnerabilities in the region.