1. Introduction -- 2. Theoretical Framework: International Order-Building, Ontological Security and Legitimation -- 3. American Construction of Regional Order in the Asia-Pacific, 1945-1955 -- 4. Developments in Regional Maritime Order from the 1970s: UNCLOS and the US Principle of Freedom of Navigation -- 5. China's Contestation of US Order-Building -- 6. Regional Contestation of China's Order-Building Project -- 7. Conclusions: A Sino-American Grand Bargain to Settle the Disputes?