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The rise of China is seen by some observers as a precursor of inevitable hegemonic competition in East Asia. At the very least, it seems likely that China's influence in East Asia will grow at the expense of the United States. Whether this will eventually amount to a form of hegemonic transition is far less clear. It is, therefore, an opportune moment to consider the relative strengths and weaknesses of China and the US in East Asia. This paper suggests that the nature of hegemonic competition and transition is more uncertain and complex than some of the most influential theoretical understandings of hegemony would have us believe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the Association of Southeast Asian Nations' (ASEAN) value added and limitations regarding its ability to play a role in regional security in East Asia. It is stated that ASEAN's contributions to regional security and within ASEAN-plus arrangements are not uniform, and are dependent on the relationship and the arrangement. It is mentioned that China, the U.S., and many other ASEAN states were initially resistant to the idea of new, expanded regional arrangements.

Neorealists argue that Japan's response to the rise of China has been to draw closer to the United States in order to balance Chinese power. In practice, the Koizumi and Abe administrations differed in their responses to the growth of Chinese power in East Asia. While Prime Minister Koizumi sought to consolidate the US-Japan alliance, Prime Minister Abe adopted a dual-track approach, combining enhanced bilateralism with enhanced regionalism. Although buttressing the US-Japan alliance, this strategy aimed to balance China by building a containment coalition with other Asia-Pacific states. Japan's signing of a security declaration with Australia in March 2007 was an important element of Abe's strategy, and marked a subtle shift in Japanese security policy from exclusive bilateralism to modest minilateralism. Although congruent with US strategic interests, this move supported Prime Minister Abe's ambition to exercise more autonomous influence over the regional security order. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article explores two contrasting approaches in assessing the performance of U.S. security strategy in East Asia relative to the rise of China. The first approach is the positive-sum approach, which emphasized the danger of security dilemmas and spirals of tension. The second approach is the zero-sum approach, which emphasized power competition and the long term dangers posed by China.

Explores international security concerns in East Asia. Effects of historical legacies and racial hatred on Sino-Japanese relations; China's assessments of Japan's military power; Effects of United States-Japan relations to Chinese security analysts' views on Japan's military buildup; Provocative nature of efforts to boost Japan's relationship with the United States.