ABSTRACT
The rise of China is probably one of the most salient factors affecting contemporary international relations in the Asia-Pacific. States in the region are crafting policies aimed at responding to the rise of the world’s most populous state. No doubt the policymaking process also involves the debate about whether or not, and the extent to which, the United States – both a global and a regional power – should be engaged in efforts to counterbalance the rise of China. In doing so, the policymakers in the region are influenced by both their global and domestic milieux.2 The results are policies that not only respond to China’s rise but also reflect the interplay of several factors: changes in the international system, regional security, and domestic politics.
