Obama's Asia visit

President Barack Obama's week-long visit to Japan, Singapore, China and South Korea, from November 13-19, marks a new turn in the relations of the United States with the countries of the Pacific Rim, with China as the centerpiece of the new matrix. The US relations with the Asian countries were in the past based on US dominance but now Obama is seeking partnership with them. Obama himself made symbolic gestures of accommodation with the sensibilities of his hosts. This explains why he made a deep bow to the Japanese Emperor in Tokyo, shook hands with the Prime Minister of Myanmar in Singapore while attending the summit of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and allowed China to stage-manage his public appearances. Both China and Japan said no to some US overtures -- China, for example, in the case of currency reforms and Japan, in the matter of US marine's presence in the island of Okinawa in their respective national interest -- and Obama accepted this independent stance of his hosts with good grace. This was a sign of respectful and mature dealings among allies. The Obama administration has forsaken the triumphalist Bush doctrine of Pax Americana and is demonstratively adjusting with the changed realities of a multi-polar world.

Gone are the days when visiting American presidents would harangue China on human rights and democracy or lecture Asia-Pacific countries on economic and currency reforms. The on-going global economic crisis has shattered America's bloated ego of supremacy and the misadventure of Bush's War on Terror has totally tarnished America's image -- America's democracy and human rights deficit is palpable. America is a net debtor country and needs the help and cooperation of its main creditors, China and Japan, to overcome its economic crisis. This gives China and Japan a big leverage in their relations with America. Obama has been practical in taking cognizance of the shifting equation of their relations. Though no dramatic development took place during his visit, a new level of trust and confidence has apparently been reached in the relations between Washington and Beijing, and between Washington and Tokyo.

Obama respected the tradition of American foreign policy of treating Japan as its closest ally in Asia and began his Asian tour from Tokyo. But he spent less than 24 hours in Japan. And in recognition of China's new-found regional and global importance, he stayed four days in China. Chinese President Hu Jintao and Obama reached "broader common grounds on major global issues". At the press conference in Beijing, standing side by side with President Hu, Obama said: "The major challenges of the 21st Century … are challenges that touch both our nations and challenges that neither of our nations can solve by acting alone." He acknowledged, "China's partnership has proved critical in our efforts to pull ourselves out of the worst recession in generations." He said, "The United States welcomes China's efforts in playing a greater role on the world stage - a role in which a growing economy is joined by growing responsibilities." On his part, President Hu said that his talks with Obama were "candid, constructive and fruitful" and that China and the US "have more comprehensive shared interests, and a more extensive prospect for cooperation". China also acknowledged America as an Asia-Pacific power. There is no ambiguity about one thing, however. While Japan is a 'strategic partner' of America, the relationship between America and China has remained at the level of 'strategic bilateral trust.' Obama said on the eve of the visit that China is America's 'vital partner as well as a competitor'. This means, the competition between the two will remain benign, contributing to peace and stability in the region and the world.