The Chinese Response to the US Rebalancing Strategy: Sino-US Relations and Washington’s Pivot to Asia

Abstract

Obama’s “Rebalancing to Asia” strategy is intended to redeploy resources and strategic attention to focus more on American interests in Asia after a decade of distraction due to the “War on Terror.” However, in the eyes of the Chinese and the rest of the world, this is also part of a coordinated effort to contain or counterbalance the rise of China in Asia. China’s response to the US rebalancing is nonconfrontational, but also uncompromising in defense of its regional interests. Chinese foreign policy under Xi Jinping’s leadership has shifted in response to pressure brought to bear by Obama’s strategic pivot, and Beijing has proposed a “new model of major power relations” between China and the USA to manage strategic competition and expand cooperation in the Sino–US relationship.