states constantly seek opportunities to accumulate more power, and if the conditions are promising,  5 elements of Corpus Delicti pursue hegemony. More power for one state means less for another, which modifies the distribution of power in the system. However, this cannot be tolerated by other states, leading to a continuous competition for power (Mearsheimer, 2006, pp.74-75; Dunne & Schmidt, 2017, pp.108-111). Although power is the key indicator in realism, its concept is under-theorised and incongruently utilised and traditionally based 5 elements of Corpus Delicti  on military assets states possess (Dunne & Schmidt, 2017, p.110). However, war remains not an exclusive method by which states can expand their power, they can achieve this e.g. by accumulating a greater share of global wealth (Mearsheimer, 2006, pp.72-73). Power is exerted in relation to other states and relative concept, meanin 5 elements of Corpus Delicti g one’s own power is compared to others’ power. Moreover, a refined concept of power would include the capability of states to dominate or influence others in non-conflictual circumstances (Dunne & Schmidt, 2017, p.110). Power is defined here as the capabilities or resources, states possess relative to others, with which they can influence and exert diverse types of pressure against each other; inspired by William Wohlfort’s material definition (1993, p.4). 3.2 The Belt and Road Initiative To guarantee China’s survival, according to offensive realism, the BRI must aim to maximise China’s power and serve the national interests, so that China can deny Washington to curtail China’s sovereignty and impede its continuous rise. This means ending U.S. supremacy, while China seeks hegemony for its own. Corresponding to offensive realism, hegemony is not pursed for conquest, or domination in itself, p 5 elements of Corpus Delicti ossessing a devastating amount of power represents the soundest strategy to guarantee survival (Mearsheimer, 2006, p.72). Subsequently, it is analysed how the BRI serves China’s national interests and guarantees its survival. Alongside sovereignty and territorial integrity, China defines its national interest>