US Officials: Asia-Pacific Strategy Not To Contain China

“American officials have repeatedly explained that their rebalancing strategy is not to contain China. But we tell them this feels like ‘trying to disprove what everyone knows.’ However, I also don’t think that America’s rebalancing strategy is 100 percent to contain China,” says Tao Wenzhao, a researcher with the Institute of American Studies and honors faculty committee member at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

Reporting on June 6, China News Service said Tao conveyed the possibility that America’s “rebalancing” strategy in the Asia-Pacific will become a long-term fixture, with containing China no doubt among its motives. Such a strategy on America’s part has undeniably added complications to the Asia-Pacific security dynamics.

Tao says the Obama team evaluated the previous administration and concluded that America had focused too much on the Middle East, omitting the Asia-Pacific [region], which is why it now needs to “rebalance.” U.S. policymakers clearly recognize that the 21st century belongs to the Pacific and that global wealth and power are shifting from the West to the East, from the Atlantic to the Pacific. The progenitor of future economic growth will mainly come from Asia-Pacific, with tomorrow’s most dynamic and vibrant economies.

Tao also believes that America’s Asia-Pacific “rebalancing” strategy will very likely become rather long-term. America’s primary threats, such as the North Korean and Iranian nuclear issues, originate from this area. The country’s chief challenges and opportunities are also here. Consequently, there is no reason for the U.S. not to focus on the Asia-Pacific region. The “rebalancing” policy may well go on even if the next president comes from another party.

In addition, the rise of China has become a principal factor in America’s Asia-Pacific strategy. Tao points out that Americans believe China’s rise is challenging its predominance in the region. Thus, the U.S. has to rebuild its dominant position, strengthen its partnerships with allies, establish a Sino-American working relationship and involve itself economically. Despite U.S. officials stressing repeatedly that their strategy is not to contain China, it gives the impression of “trying to disprove what everybody knows.” Containing China is no doubt part of its motivation, albeit not 100 percent aimed at it.

Tao says that over the past couple of years, such a strategy on America’s part has complicated the Asia-Pacific security dynamics. But there have also been quite a few obstacles implementing the strategy, such as the U.S. budget deficit and issues with the Middle East, lending the “rebalancing” additional constraints.