There are several scenarios for military regional order in the Pacific, but “collective security” would be the most desirable strategic choice for regional countries. Existing organizations and communications platforms, such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, provide a good foundation for this military order and continued economic integration in the Pacific.

The initiatives and enormous investments turned the APEC meeting in Beijing from a “talk shop” to one of action. Han Liqun stresses that all APEC member economies should be fully confident in building an open and liberal economic and trade environment in the Asia-Pacific.

China is the leading advocate for progress in the form of a “feasibility study” on an inclusive new regional trade agreement, the FTAAP. Concerned that this will detract from U.S. regional interests, the FTAAP ironically has provided impetus for the completion of the U.S.-led TPP proposal.

Tao Wenzhou explains how the Xi-Obama Summit achieved four major bilateral goals: increased commitment to create a new bilateral investment agreement, shared reduction of CO2 emissions, more liberal visa regulations for people-to-people exchanges, and new mil-to-mil protocols.

When evaluating the meeting between Presidents Xi and Obama, the two countries should transcend the mentality of a zero-sum game, and place their main focus on cooperation.

Zhang Junshe describes how the establishment of mutual trust mechanisms between China and the U.S.– through military leader exchanges and joint military exercises – can help both sides to know each other’s strategic intentions and reduce the possibilities of misunderstanding and misjudgment and thus lower the risks of military friction.

The much anticipated Xi-Obama meeting after the APEC Summit achieved many positive bilateral policy goals: from the increased liberalization of visa and trade tariffs to mutual military cooperation. However, as Jia Qingguo explains, the offensive realist perspectives of individuals in both countries and the fractured U.S. Congress interests will hinder progress.

Dialogue between Henry Kissinger and Fu Ying, which took place during a recent visit she made to the United States. Its candor and tone offer valuable insights into the thinking of these two important figures on the foreign policy of their countries.

Doug Bandow explains how expanding the INF Treaty to Asia would benefit U.S. – Russian cooperation and dampen geopolitical and military tension over territorial issues. While China might initially be wary of joining such an effort due to concerns with Taiwanese independence, a new arms control regime would ultimately offer Beijing significant benefits as well.

The shortest state visit in the history of the China-U.S. diplomatic relationship yielded important accomplishments in forming a new bilateral relationship, establishing complementary goals, and creating an impactful Joint Declaration on Climate Change.