Barack Obama recently announced that America is going to suppliant Australian Navy with its own soldiers. This is nothing short of fingering China and it has every reason to be peeved. Imagine Chinese sending troops to patrol POK? Adding to it, US is engaging Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos in trade agreements.
To be fair to Obama, these nations were more than willing to embrace America given the Chinese behaviour in sharing Mekong River waters. China browbeated these nations into submission and one thing that no one likes is being dominated and bullied. Now these revitalised nations will say "Hey! Look big guy, Big brother is watching my back. Mind you!"
The Pacific rim as they call it is heating up and the world is watching out for the East Asia Summit scheduled to be held this month. Russia and USA are the new members while China has been the founder and core member of the Summit. Recently concluded ASEAN summit has taken some bold decisions and now 10 + 3 seems to be the order. The founding members Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia should be happy! Isn't it akin to surrounding China from all sides?
I am unsure why USA is being so testy about China now. May be elections, may be fear of being alienated from the world's growth engine(Only?) or may be USA is just being "Uncle Sam". Anyways, Hillary and Obama are hell bent on becoming a thorn in China's flesh. Both parties however have compulsions to feed the stronger-than-thou psyche of their domestic audience and Obama has an impending election facing him. The republicans are going all out to prove him a failure and foreign policy seems to be his only trump card. Likewise the standing in line Chinese premier is yet to make his bones and the nation is watching him to demonstrate that China is no weak nation. Interesting times these are. Lets watch for more!
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