As the Obama administration takes real steps toward putting its "strategic pivot" policies into effect in the Asia-Pacific, many of its decisions leave the impression that it is becoming confrontational, especially when it comes to certain issues related to China, such as the South China Sea and the Diaoyu Islands.

Washington has turned a blind eye to the fact that China's maritime territorial interests have been seriously encroached upon by countries such as the Philippines and Vietnam and has thrown its weight behind those countries in the South China Sea issue. After Japan raised tensions over the Diaoyu Islands last month, it and the United States embarked on a month-long military drill, a step seen by many as signaling Washington's support for Tokyo in the dispute.

The US' actions have proved to be counterproductive to attempts to promote peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region.

True, Washington has said on many occasions that it is not taking sides in the disputes. But in practice, its actions have only reinforced the perception that it is trying to do the opposite. That's why people are becoming more and more worried that the US intends to contain China's rise.

With two prominent US government officials' visits to China this month, the US has an opportunity to convince China that such a perception results from a mere misunderstanding.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is scheduled to arrive in Beijing on Tuesday. She will be followed by Leon Panetta, US defense secretary, who is expected to make his first trip to China later this month.

There is an imperative need to hear that the US and China can work together to alleviate security concerns and generate the energy needed to ensure the Asia-Pacific region's continuous prosperity. Clinton has a lot to do in that regard.

In remarks she made in the Cook Islands last week, she sounded more sensible than at other recent times, saying that the Pacific is big enough for all countries, including the United States and China, and that her country wants there to be a "comprehensive, positive, cooperative relationship" between the world's two largest economies.

Given both countries' willingness to accommodate a greater presence of the other in the region, the two do not have to face each other in a confrontational manner. The precondition, of course, is that they keep their words.

(China Daily 09/04/2012 page8)