A re-balancing

The words used by the US in its Asia-Pacific policies changed a few times. First it was "pivot", then "return". Now it is officially called "re-balancing".

The US claims that this strategy does not target certain countries. The official line is that since the US has major interests in the region, it is now increasing input to compensate for the previous lack of attention. We are waiting to see how it works.

In China, we also have different interpretations. I think first we should recognize that the US is a world leader. It has strategy around the globe, including the Asia-Pacific where it believes itself to be a major country. However, I don't think this is necessarily an accurate expression. The US is a Pacific country, but obviously it is not an Asian country. Until now, the US hasn't explained the concept "Asia-Pacific" very clearly. Of course, the US wants to show its major interests in this area which it needs to safeguard and expand, thus maintaining and strengthening its leadership.

At the same time, our views have been very clear. We acknowledge and respect the current interests and presence of the US in the region, and hope the US can play a constructive role in promoting peace, stability and common development of the Asia-Pacific. President Xi once said that the Asia-Pacific is big enough for China and the US. During the joint press conference with US President Obama in November last year, President Xi reiterated this opinion. So we have been very open and honest on this issue.

Of course, we also noticed that Americans thought that the US neglected the Asia-Pacific area because it invested too much in the Middle East and anti-terrorism war. In that period China made remarkable progress and its influence in the area increased very fast.

Some fear that China's rise will squeeze the US out of the Asia-Pacific and that even if China has no such intention, its development will pose a challenge to the US leadership.

I think their worry is like, in a traditional Chinese saying, to project a gentleman's heart onto a low-class mind. China's development is aimed at raising its people's living standards, not shutting others out, harming their interests or challenging their leadership. Becoming a world leader has never been part of China's cultural traditions or diplomatic philosophy. We believe every country is equal. International affairs need consultations among all countries. The affairs within the Asia-Pacific region need consultations among all Asia-Pacific countries. China never wants other countries to follow its orders; nor does it agree with any other country attempting to do so.

So we are observing the re-balancing strategy to see how it actually works and what kind of effect it would have. China welcomes and encourages it if it is constructive to the peace, stability, development and cooperation in the region, but we will oppose it if it has a negative effect or even intends to throw us back into the Cold War.