The US and Philippines have developed a close military relationship in recent years that the Chinese fear is an attempt to entrap or counter their influence in the region. Recent aggressive moves by the Philippines over territorial disputes have caused China to fear that this relationship will cause greater tensions in the region, and between the US and China.

U.S. Secretary Hagel’s China visit and President Obama’s trip to Asia illustrate the almost impossible balancing act of American Foreign Policy in the region of assuring the United States’ Asian allies that America will stand by them in a future conflict with China, while simultaneously mollifying Chinese fears of U.S. containment and precluding a deepening of Sino-Russian ties.

China has always valued military secrecy, however Richard Weitz explains that in recent years China has advanced in terms of transparency and the importance of clear communication between China and the U.S.

The just concluded visit of US Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel to China may send a signal that developing a new type of major power relationship is not a near-term possibility. The zero-sum Cold War mentality of Washington elites, together with present-day alliance structures, may prove an insurmountable barrier, writes Clifford A. Kiracofe.

The United States, the world’s cyber power, and China, the emerging cyber power have convergent and divergent views on many cyber related issues that many times leads to conflict between the two. In the future, an increased level of communication will lead to mutual trust in handling many of these issues, and will aide in the effect rule making process.

Yu Sui hopes that Chuck Hagel’s current trip in China can provide positive momentum for the formulation of the new-type major-country relationship between China and the United States.

Following issues in Crimea, the topic of “core national interests” continues to emerge as a critical point in geopolitics. As Stephen Harner explains, it is necessary for the United States to follow China’s lead and define its own core interests. By eliminating any uncertainty over national priorities, both nations can continue seeking “A New Type of Great Power Relations.”

Against the background of building a new type of great power relationship, Secretary Chuck Hagel’s visit to China will push the China-US military relationship to a higher level, writes Zhao Xiaozhuo.

Secretary Hagel’s visit will help remove obstacles and overcome difficulties, facilitate exchanges and cooperation, and build a new type of Sino-US military relationship, writes Wu Zurong.

It is of essential significance to consistently enhance diplomatic relations with neighboring countries and improve good-neighborliness. Periphery strategy and diplomacy will always be important to China, writes Shi Yinhong.