ABSTRACT
This chapter examines how the arguments hold up in light of developments since 2009 until the end of 2016. Firstly, China's activities in the South China Sea, including island-building, a confrontational approach to territorial disputes, and the increased militarisation of its regional presence. Secondly, the establishment of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) which could potentially undermine existing international financial institutions. Thirdly, the initiation of the associated One Belt, One Road (OBOR) project that expands China's economic and political reach towards Europe. The chapter outlines the changes that have taken place in the United States (US) and the European Union's (EUs) policymaking subsystems during this extended time period of analysis, to identify factors that may help explain policy change or continuity. It addresses the cases exploring US and EU responses to developments in China's rise. The AIIB and OBOR initiatives are interconnected – the latter is to be funded by the former.
