The future direction of trend would very much depend on the perceptions and choices of the parties involved. If they choose to cooperate, they may all win. If they choose to confront each other, they may only head for impasse or even conflict and no one can benefit totally.

The obstinate pursuit of US military hegemony in Asia will inevitably harm interests of both the US and Asian countries. The fundamentally flawed strategy could neither enhance the confidence of US allies, nor give any chance of US victory in any accidental conflicts or unfortunate wars in Asia. In any cost-benefit analysis, the effort is a waste of taxpayers’ money with no possible prospect of playing a constructive role in the region.

To advance its rebalancing strategy, the U.S. will continue to meddle in the South China Sea issue, using its political, diplomatic, public opinion and even military tools to challenge China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests to build obstacles to China’s development. But it will limit the scale and intensity of such actions to avoid upsetting well-established cooperation between the two countries on critical issues.

The U.S. military is back in the Philippines after a fourteen-year hiatus, sending the message that it will work with its allies to pushback on Beijing’s expanding presence in the disputed SCS, while also reinforcing belief amongst the Chinese and many others that U.S. is only raising military stakes to thwart China’s rise.

While the US struggles to adjust to its changing role in the international order, China should not give up its principles in handling relations, but be more active, practical and effective in expanding cooperation, and continue to facilitate the building of a new type of major-country relationship between the two countries.

The move by the Philippines to take its territorial disputes to an international tribunal constitutes a serious threat to regional peace and stability. China will neither accept nor participate in the arbitration process. No matter what the final ruling will be, China will not recognize or implement it.

With the end of the nuclear security summits and major Russia-U.S. security tensions, China-U.S. nuclear security cooperation is needed more than ever. Fortunately, both governments are pursuing projects to counter nuclear smuggling, reduce the use of dangerous nuclear fuels, and augment other international institutions that counter nuclear terrorism.

Lucio Blanco Pitlo III compares China's One Belt, One Road (OBOR) initiative with the U.S.'s Rebalance to Asia, ultimately advising that for the U.S. to be seen as not reacting to China's growing regional influence, it would need a better appreciation of the security needs, growing aspirations, and economic demands of rising powers.

As China’s permanent neighbor and the U.S.’ long-time ally, the Philippines has a unique role mediating between the U.S. and China in the South China Sea. However, if the Philippines fail’s to improve its current political relations with China, while continuously enhancing its defense alliance with the U.S., the Philippines can become a catalyst for the proverbial “Thucydides trap.”

Abandoning its past agreements with China and dismissing the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea to settle maritime disputes through negotiations and consultation, the Philippines has chosen to take the issue to court. The author argues that the arbitral tribunal acted like the Philippines’ agent and the high-stake case could upset the delicate security balance in the region.