Beijing has pursued increasingly assertive policies in East Asia, such as defending its claims over disputed territory, and constructing and militarizing islands in the South China Sea. Are these policies scoring big gains for Beijing — leading it to control more territory and reduce U.S. control and influence in the region? Or are these policies self-defeating: leading to a balancing coalition against China? In this New York Times “Room For Debate,” three commentators and I lay out our arguments.