How Asia sees Obama's pivot to the Pacific

“Using China’s rise and the ‘China threat’ theory, the U.S. wants to convince China’s neighbors that the Asia-Pacific needs Washington’s presence and protection in order to ‘unite’ them to strike a ‘strategic rebalance’ against China in the region,” security scholar Wang Yusheng wrote recently in the China Daily."

Doubt the US needs "to convince China's neighbors" about China's intentions.

First, I think China has a blind spot as to how they are perceived by other Asian countries.

Second, the US and other Asian countries are playing the same game. Everyone wants China's business but almost all Asian countries aren't willing to get too close to China because there will always be an element of distrust. And the author only quotes scholars and analyst's opinions. People in the governments mentioned know exactly what the situation is.

As long as USA under Obama continues to equivocate to appease China, its role is detrimental to the Asia- Pacific discussion.

Asia in general operates a bit differently than Europe does when it comes to allegiances. Whereas in Europe, the threat of a "godless, state is supreme, socialist" state like the Soviet Union led to more one-sided allegiances, Asia is much more a "balance-oriented" approach. None of the nations have experienced brutalism the same way as Poland, the Czech/Slovak, etc. areas experienced under Soviet rule. As such, none of the states are willing to join a one-sided US-centered allegiance. Instead they're more interested in a "balance" of power between the US and China. They don't want to anger either side too much for fear of retribution from powerful militaries and trade blocs. A very different dynamic, and one China has been practicing for thousands of years. The US will have to get smart fast about this new dynamic lest it find itself isolated in Asia to a few historical allies (Korea and Japan).

Patrick McCormick: I agree that the dynamic among Asian countries is quite different................................ Asian states DO NOT want a US centered foreign diplomacy. . .............................. HOWEVER- I disagree............... that Asian countries have not witnessed brutalization equivalent to Europe: Pot Pol 's brutal rule in Cambodia where the Khymer Rouge mercilessly & with indifferent cruelty wiped out a whole generation for 2 decades starting in the late '60's. .

I would like to see Australia quit selling to China.

America is no where being a pivot of asia under Obama's leadership! In the recent APEC summit held in Cambodia, the hosting cambodian governemnt has never including that so called 'South China sea conducts and protocol' in this joint annoucment of ASAEAN countries. The summit has clearly shown no countries is backing Vietnam and the Philipines' claim of their soverignity inof Paracel and Sparlty isles! And China reserved her rights to deploy her contingent of marines in the south China sea island! All options were available for China to take if and necessary' has to be solved in a conflict!

“I trust the U.S. as our ally, but we need to address this issue of U.S. ‘neutrality.’”

America has never been neutral but playing 'The Japan card' at China, this is her true nature and strategy to control the Pacific ocean! Freedom isnt free, of course Japan's reluctant to send troops fighting in Iraq and afghanistan lead US mistrust and despise a so called' key ally'! Probably Japanese leaders has no intelligence gathering but just reading news when decision is going to make! And that brought them 'surprise'!