Publication

This brief examines US-China relations and the "dual leadership" structure that is emerging to define the balance of power in the Asia-Pacific region. The author argues that China's focus is on economic growth, and as such, it is unlikely that the country will supplant the US as leader in the political and security dimensions in the region in the near future. It's economic power will therefore sit alongside the US' military superiority. This model, he allows, is not fail-safe given the uncertainty around China's economic rise and US position in Asia. Yet, as long as China's economic growth and the US' economic recovery as well as rebalance towards Asia continue, so will the dual leadership system.