The four-day visit by the Chinese Defense Minster to the United States was another strong example of the growing ties between the US and China. The visit, which focused on future military-to-military ties, established further planning for exercises and communications in the coming year, and was deemed positive by both sides.

While President Obama’s new Cabinet has the potential to improve US-China relations, an examination of Hillary Clinton’s role in shaping the United States' China policy suggests Obama holds all the cards.

President Barack Obama’s cabinet shakeup could be a step toward improving Sino-US relations with his appointment of Senator John Kerry and former Senator Chuck Hagel as secretary of state and secretary of defense respectively.