The People’s Republic of China’s long term pursuit of an elevated international standing aims to reshape international order in its favor by ousting the United States as the dominant world power. One aspect of this rivalry that is gaining more immediate importance, however, is the conflict surrounding both powers’ supremacy in East Asia. The region is of considerable economic and political importance for both countries. The United States and its allies still dominate security policy in the region but China is making every effort to replace the US and turn it into a zone of influence.