Weighting for China, Counting on the United States: Asia's China Debate and U.S. Interests

Abstract : Asian countries are according a rising China greater weight, but also waiting to see how China and its policies evolve. Within Asian countries and regionally, general agreement favors engaging China. Today s stakeholders of Asian countries China debate are more numerous complicating policymaking and implementation. Asian anxieties center on how China s increasing power will impinge on territorial and border disputes and sovereign prerogatives. Some worry persists about China s ability to sustain economic growth and political stability. Unease exists about ethnic Chinese migration and diasporas and the possible reassertion of China s historical dominance. The United States has a prime opportunity to influence Asia s China debate because the debate is ongoing, and the United States remains regarded as fundamental to national and regional calculations including about China. Extreme U.S.-China tensions and possible pressures by either to choose sides are unwelcome. No Asian country expects or desires China to supplant U.S. regional pre-eminence. At worst, some favor a balance of great powers or a multi-polar order. Having more stakeholders in Asia s China debate benefits the United States because Beijing has to work harder at making a coherent, consistent Asia policy and the United States can exploit inconsistencies. Asia s decisions on issues ranging from missile defenses to trade will consider Chinese positions, but for the foreseeable future are unlikely to be determined by them. Indeed, Asia s China debate might well evolve to facilitate closer ties to the United States.