Pages Tagged : Major Power Relations in the Asia-Pacific

While the Asia-Pacific has become the dynamic center of the world economy, politics, and diplomacy, the simultaneous “rise” of China and India, the drive for “normalcy” of Japan, and the forceful “return” of the United States have brought about great uncertainties in the region, making the Asia-Pacific the critical flashpoint of the twenty-first century. However, the existing security and economic structures can hardly compensate for these shifts; nor are there any rule-based regimes to shape the policies and behaviors of the powers in the region.

This project seeks to explore how China and India can avoid or manage conflict and increase cooperation given three fundamental developments confronting them. First, both states are en route to sustained economic growth and as a result will see steady and dramatic increases in their comprehensive national power and ambitions. Secondly, as China and India continue to grow economically, there will be a substantial increase in their demand for vital limited resources, most importantly, food, water, energy, and strategic minerals.

While the Asia-Pacific has become the dynamic center of the world economy, politics, and diplomacy, the simultaneous “rise” of China and India, the drive for “normalcy” of Japan, and the forceful “return” of the United States have brought about great uncertainties in the region, making the Asia-Pacific the critical flashpoint of the twenty-first century. However, the existing security and economic structures can hardly compensate for these shifts; nor are there any rule-based regimes to shape the policies and behaviors of the powers in the region.

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