International Relations scholars as well as policy-makers have generally accepted that a major transition in the Asia-Pacific security order is under way with China's rising power being the primary cause of this evolution.This paper investigates the concept of order in relation to this evolution in power.First,the paper notes the various ways in which the term ″order″ has been used in the academic literature.It settles upon a definition that is active in form,and that highlights the extent to which there is a demonstrated commitment by the rising power to establishing a set of conditions that will help bring about certain ″community″ goals.The next section of the paper examines how other scholars have described order in the Asia-Pacific before outlining the ways that China's rising power and influence are affecting regional order.The conclusion here is that,whatever China's intentions,its increased capabilities and new knowledge have enabled China to play a much enhanced role in the re...更多gion.Following on from this,the paper then investigates China's own concept of regional order as outlined in some official documents.This concept of order is then linked to specific Chinese policies-bilateral and multilateral:towards a wide range of Asia-Pacific states and organizations.In particular,I make reference to Southeast Asian countries,organizations such as the ARF,ASEAN,and APT,as well as to the Chinese attitude to the maintenance of a US presence in the region.Finally,the paper examines how compatible Chinese conceptions of order are with those of other states and organizations in the region,again with a particular focus on Southeast Asia and on the United States.Such a comparative dimension is important,I argue,in any attempt to assess the degree to which order might be disrupted as a result of China's rising capabilities and influence.And,on the whole,China's policies have been generally reassuring to a range of states.A reasonably strong compatibility of vision exists between China and the Southeast Asian states;and although a somewhat less developed compatibility exists in Northeast Asia,especially in relation to Japan,this might improve over time.There are also a number of compatibilities with respect to the United States.However,while China's policies have been deemed generally reassuring,there are still some remaining fears about China's future intentions.This is mainly because of the steady enhancement of its military strength,the fear that it might use force to deal with the contingency of Taiwan,and a lack of transparency.Beijing's reluctance to offer full disclosure about its long term strategic plans still causes unease.In conclusion,China's relations are good and improving with a number of states in this region.To date,there is little evidence to support the notion of hierarchy or a tributary mentality developing in Asia,whereby local states line-up behind Chinese preferences.China may not like,but accepts that it shares this region with many other states,including the US,Japan,the ASEAN states,and increasingly India too.Power is diffused which makes it difficult for one state to set the agenda or be the sole creator of order.