title: China’s Rhetorical Challenge to the US-led Order in the Asia-Pacific and the Response of Regional States
abstract: This article first investigates China's 'delegitimizing rhetoric' aimed at undermining a US-led regional order as a means of its balancing behavior against the United States at a low level. Second, as a case study the article looks into the US strategy of strengthening its alliances and security partnerships, which has been an essential component of retaining a US-led hegemonic order in the region, and China's response to it. Third, the article examines how regional states have been attempting t
journal: The Korean Journal of International Studies