Only after the US adjusts its mindset and discards the outdated logic can it match its words with its deeds and find the right direction toward healthy Sino-US relations, an article on People Daily. Excerpts:

United States Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta explained the “United States’ re-balance strategy in the Asia-Pacific region” in the Shangri-La dialogue, denying outright that the purpose of the strategy is to contain the rise of China. The Associated Press commented that Panetta “appeared to offer an olive branch to the communist power”. Panetta said that the often-feuding rivals must learn to work together better.

High-ranking officials in the US have often spoken positively of Sino-US relations in recent years. The US military is also learning to talk about its strategy on China in softer tones. However, there is a saying in China as well as the US: Actions speak louder than words.

The re-balancing strategy is a further supplement to the US’ return to the Asia-Pacific region. The US has already maintained the strongest military presence in the region. Its re-balancing action may disturb the stability of this region. Will the disturbance bring more peace or uncertainties to the region in the future?

Some Western pundits have said the new US strategy in the region will cause more regional conflicts. The Associated Press observes Panetta’s visit to Asia is to reiterate that the US is going to help its allies and partners to develop and exert their maritime rights in waters claimed mostly by China. And the US hopes to counter China’s increasing influence with its partnership and alliances in the region. The US action will necessarily invite more corresponding anti-intervention strategies from China.

Rebalancing is not a new concept. The US is still using Asian countries doubts and concerns about China’s fast development to consolidate its position in the region. The US is strengthening its deterrence of China under the excuse of maintaining safety and meanwhile avoiding engaging in face-to-face conflict and rivalry with China. This tough strategy will undoubtedly complicate the situation of the Asia-Pacific region or even split this region.

The Financial Times’ Chinese website carried articles saying the new US strategy has inherited much from Cold War style and the warmongering arrangement will lead the US to dangerous and provocative war plans targeting China. Some Western scholars doubt that the US promise to supply military assistance to some Southeast Asian countries is likely to encourage these countries to rival China, adding to local tensions and conflicts. How the US will solve the problem remains a question.

Is it true that the US has a tendency in its mind that only by being increasingly tougher to China, can the US save its face as a declining power. Most local media in the Asia-Pacific region do not believe that the new US strategy is not targeted at China. It is self-evident, even if US officials deny it, that their new security strategy in the Asia-Pacific region considers China a target. All countries in the region should be clear-headed of the costs of the ingrained rivalry and deterrence of the new US move.

The big test for the US is whether it can make a really positive contribution to the stability of the region or rid itself of its self-conflicting logic that requires it to make use of China’s development and contain China’s development at the same time. This test is not limited to military field only.

Only after the US adjusts its mindset and discards the outdated logic can it match its words with its deeds and find the right direction toward healthy Sino-US relations. Otherwise, the US is only deceiving itself by doing differently from what it says. The US should know that the loss of its credibility in the region cannot be regained by deploying several warships.