• In the mean time, there is the rise of China as a result of its four modernizations started by Deng Xiaoping in the post-Mao period • Japan is also trying to play a more active role at the suggestion of the US • Recent developments show that Japan under PM Abe would reinterpret its peace constitution in order to promote what it calls “collective self-defence” allowing its military to support its allies (basically the US) in overseas missions • Knowing the importance of the Asia-Pacific in the twenty-first century, other actors like the EU, India, Australia, South Korea, Russia and New Zealand would like to play a role in the region too