Role Reorientation: U.A.A. In The East Asian Order In The First Decade Of The21^st Century

Since the end of World War Ⅱ, especially the end of the Cold War, East Asiahas witnessed unprecedented development. Many politicians and experts predict thatthe21stcentury would be the Pacific century, and the center of world power isshifting to the East. The regional order in East Asia is at a new juncture of change inthe first decade of the21stcentury. The U.S. is one of the major geopolitical actors inthis region, and its role in East Asia has been challenged by three main factors,namely the rise of China, the acceleration of regional integration in East Asia, andthe relative decline of U.S. power. This thesis tries to follow the track of Americanrole in East Asia from a policy perspective. The U.S. is not able to dominate the EastAsian order as before, and it’s trying to get involved in the regional integration in soas to main its regional strategic influence. East Asia grabbed the world’s attentionafter the Obama administration proclaimed its “pivot” to Asia. What is the reasonbehind the U.S. pivot to Asia? What has changed in the American policy toward EastAsia? To answer these questions, this paper analyzes the changes in East Asianregional order and U.S. policy toward this region in the first decade of the21stcentury. The U.S. has to accommodate its regional policy with China, and rely moreon its regional allies in handling regional affairs. It has shifted its main policy fromstrategic design to institutional construction in East Asia. It has increased itsinvolvement in East Asian economic regionalization while consolidating its ties withregional allies. The author argues that although U.S. increased its strategic input inEast Asia, but the real clout of U.S.-led bilateral security system has decreased. Theauthor predicts that the future of the regional order in East Asia would be mainlydetermined by the U.S., China and the integrated ASEAN.