Study Times, a major journal that examines CCP policy, published an article analyzing the policy the U.S. applies in its Asia-Pacific rebalancing strategy. The article was republished in other major state-run media such as Qiushi and People’s Daily.
The article stated, “Since coming to power in 2009, the Obama administration has tried to apply new thinking and adjustments to the reality that the United States faces in considering its international status and global strategy. Regarding its China policy, the Obama administration changed from the ‘strategic reassurance’ used in 2009 to the ‘hedge on both sides’ used after 2010. He has paid more attention to containing China. The implementation of this policy shift serves to strengthen operations in the Asia Pacific region and actively promote the so-called ‘Asia-Pacific rebalancing’ strategy. In the current situation, the two parties in the United States differ in their policies on many domestic and international issues but seem to share a consensus on promoting the Asia-Pacific rebalancing strategy.”
The article expressed the belief that, because many circumstances influence this strategy, its outlook is uncertain. These circumstances include the following: 1) the financial situation of the U.S.; 2) the security situation in other regions in the world; 3) the attitude of Asian countries; and 4) the level of China’s development. Among these factors, China’s development status and its diplomatic abilities should be the major ones affecting the "Asia-Pacific rebalancing" strategy. China should have sufficient understanding and confidence.
The article stated that the U.S. Asia-Pacific strategy adjustments to China place significant external pressure on China, embodied in the following factors. 1) The U.S. Military pressure on China has increased. 2) China’s surrounding environment has becomes more complicated. 3) China’s influence in the Asia-Pacific region faces challenges. 4) China will face more severe challenges in ideology [the infiltration of Western values].
Source: Study Times, February 9, 2015
http://www.qstheory.cn/international/2015-02/09/c_1114300613.htm http://www.studytimes.cn/shtml/xxsb/20150209/9313.shtml