Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
China’s relationship with its neighbors has been damaged by Beijing’s response to the detainment of the captain of a Chinese fishing boat that collided with Japanese coast guard vessels.
China’s current economic policies, which borrow from future household income to stimulate present growth, follow the development model that gave Japan extraordinary short term growth but led ultimately to a period of significant economic decline.
Obama’s bilateral meetings with key Asian leaders on the sidelines of the Toronto G-20 have put the United States back on a positive track in the region.
During his visit to Tokyo, Obama will endeavor to guide the U.S.-Japan alliance as Japan adjusts to its new governing party, build the alliance’s capabilities to address future security contingencies, and restore a sense of American involvement in the region.
As President Obama leaves on a nine-day tour of Asia, he will express U.S. policy priorities and focus on tackling bigger, long-term issues including the economic recovery, nonproliferation, and climate change.
President Obama’s trip to Asia will signal renewed U.S. commitment to this vitally important region. Perhaps the most important stop will be in China, where Obama will seek to ease lingering strategic distrust and discuss key issues of trade, climate change, and security.
During his ten-day diplomatic tour of the Asia-Pacific region, Obama will reassure Asian nations that the United States will continue to play a role in balancing Chinese influence in the region, and reassure China that Washington seeks cooperation rather than confrontation with Beijing.
President Obama will travel to Japan, Singapore, China, and South Korea starting on October 11. Carnegie experts will answer your questions about the possible implications and outcomes of the trip for the U.S. strategic and economic relationship with the region.
While the election victory of the Democratic Party of Japan could alter regional dynamics and the U.S.-Japan alliance, it is unlikely to cause significant changes to the bilateral relationship in the long-run.
Don't believe the hype about the decline of America and the dawn of a new Asian age. It will be many decades before China, India, and the rest of the region take over the world, if they ever do.