Considering the dominant position that the US alliance system has enjoyed in regional Asian security affairs, Asia-Pacific division can be expected, which will be a disaster not only for China, but also for the US, its regional allies and the world as a whole.

By clearing choosing Japan over China in the Diaoyu/Senkaku Islands dispute, the US risks increasing the likelihood of confrontation in the Asia Pacific region instead of negating it. These actions run counter to America’s stated goal of improving strategic trust between the US and China.

Conflicting signals sent by the US regarding the South China Sea territorial disputes have served to heighten distrust between the US and China ahead of Defense Secretary Panetta’s upcoming visit to China. Although unlikely to produce concrete results, these high level visits serve to clarify intentions and alleviate strategic distrust between China and the US.

With major leadership transitions in the US and China this year, it is easy to become disheartened at the current state of the China-US relationship. However, despite some obvious disagreements, the relationship continues to strengthen and mature