US–China Rivalry in the Indo-Pacific

Abstract

The US-China strategic rivalry has heightened tensions in the Indo-Pacific, from the Taiwan Strait to the South China Sea. The key to a peaceful and prosperous Indo-Pacific is to manage complex US-China relations judiciously. China has developed new initiatives to promote trade and global influence to project itself as a great power. The Belt and Road Initiative has become a hallmark of Beijing’s contemporary diplomacy. On the other hand, the United States seems bent on countering China’s rapid expansion in power and influence. A loose united front may be formed in the years ahead to meet the China challenge, and the Quad and Five Eyes have already been strengthened with China as a clear target. However, most countries refuse to be forced to make the painful choice between the United States and China. They wish to maintain a strong security alliance with the United States and simultaneously keep dynamic economic ties with China. As two leading developing nations, India and China have more common interests than differences. Looking ahead, both challenges and opportunities exist associated with China’s rise.