Preview: [..T]his essay outlines the main features of China’s vision for the Asian political-security order and compares it with the U.S.-led order. In contrast with the liberalism embedded in the U.S. order, China prefers political pluralism and promotes the legitimacy of all forms of political systems and social development models. Furthermore, in contrast with the centrality of alliances in the U.S. order, China opposes alliances and promotes its own brand of partnership diplomacy. The U.S. and Chinese visions of regional orders are thus in conflict, although cooperation is still possible when their practical interests converge.