Abstract
How China reacts to America’s dominant position in the Asia-Pacific is a critical issue for regional security now and in the foreseeable future. As a rising power that sees the United States as both a partner and a potential threat and is still substantially weaker than the US, China might adopt one of several possible strategies: balancing against American power; accommodation; or attempting to supplant America’s leadership position. In fact, China’s security policy includes elements of all three strategies. The accommodationist element, however, is likely to diminish if China’s economic and political strength continue to grow as quickly as expected.
