US-CHINA RIVALRY DRIVES ASIA-PACIFIC GEOPOLITICS IN 2026

In 2026, competition between Washington and Beijing intensifies across the Asia-Pacific, dominating regional security priorities and economic governance structures [1]. Both powers are actively contesting control over critical maritime routes, energy resources, and strategic areas including the Taiwan Strait, South China Sea, and key island archipelagos [1]. Despite this rivalry, China, Japan, and South Korea maintain strong economic interdependence that stabilizes the region even as military operations expand in specific zones [1]. Taiwan remains a critical focal point for regional security due to its industrial and technological centrality, anchoring the involvement of the United States and its allies [1].