OPINION

Xi risks scaring Asia back into Washington's orbit

News, Hal Brands, Published on 06/03/2018

» One thing seems certain about Xi Jinping's move to establish himself as China's dictator for life: The bolder and more openly assertive foreign policy he has pursued since taking power five years ago is here to stay. The conventional wisdom is that the US, its Asian allies, and the broader international order are thus in for a rough stretch, as China demands its place in the sun. "Xi's consolidation of power," writes my Bloomberg View colleague James Stavridis, "will make China an even more formidable competitor." Less appreciated, though, is that this approach could also end badly for China, because Mr Xi may be overplaying his country's hand.