Economic power drives US role in Asia
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Independent Australian scholar John Lee recently wrote an article for Foreign Policy, "The End of the Charm Offensive." He argues that while Beijing might want the US out of Asia in order to claim the role of regional hegemon for itself, other Asian countries and regions want the US to stay.
This view that China wants the US out of Asia is popular in some of China's neighbors. They think the US "return" to Asia and the reaffirmation of its leadership in Asia-Pacific region is aimed at suppressing China. In this way of thinking, the relationship between China and the US is a zero-sum game.
But China has never wanted the US out of Asia. During the 30 years of reform and opening-up, during which the US has been a leader in the Asia-Pacific region, China has developed rapidly. Why does China want the US out of Asia now?
China is not trying to usurp US leadership. China's status has changed as its power rises. However, in the Asia-Pacific region, some forces have deliberately created tension. It seems that all countries must stand in different groups, just like the two camps during the Cold War. This view makes people ignore the fact that the leadership of the US is declining.
The US has encountered some problems in the Asia-Pacific region in recent years, but not because any party wants to force the US out of Asia. No country has this capability, nor will they in the foreseeable future. Nor can any country replace the leadership role the US has played in the region.
US problems are closely related to its changing strength. In these years, the US has witnessed the rapid economic development of the Asia-Pacific region and the gradual formation of new cooperation patterns. It is afraid of being marginalized, hence the so-called return to Asia.
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