Analyzing China's Rise: Strategic Management of US Reaction (warontherocks.com)

• China's deliberate restraint limited the early formation of US-led containment coalitions.
• Structural power transition theories failed to account for Beijing's success in managing friction.
• Global economic integration acted as a stabilizer against premature bipolar polarization.

"Oriana Skylar Mastro examines how China successfully navigated its ascent without triggering an early, decisive containment strategy from the United States. Despite significant military and economic expansion, Beijing maintained a posture that prevented the structural power transition from escalating into open confrontation. The work challenges traditional power transition theories by highlighting how China strategically managed perceived threats, causing Washington to delay mobilization and leaving third-party nations to hedge rather than align definitively with either power."