U.S.-CHINA RIVALRY DRIVES ASIA-PACIFIC SECURITY

The dominant Asia-Pacific story is the intensifying strategic competition between the United States and China, which is shaping regional security, trade routes, and alliance behavior. Maritime chokepoints and contested zones such as Taiwan, the South China Sea, and the Malacca and Luzon straits remain central flashpoints. At the same time, trade across the region is being reshaped by supply-chain diversification, AI-related demand, and deeper economic ties within ASEAN and with partners like Japan and South Korea. Regional governments are responding by strengthening security cooperation and economic resilience to reduce exposure to coercion and escalation.