Kerry bids to boost ties with Beijing

Improving relations vital to regional security, says US secretary of state

Top US diplomat John Kerry has attempted to calm Sino-US ties ahead of a November visit to China by President Barack Obama.

The move by the secretary of state follows critical views on China voiced by top US officials, and tensions between the two countries over maritime and regional issues.

Improving US cooperation with China is critical to maintaining stability and security in the Asia-Pacific region as well as combating the effects of climate change, Kerry said on Wednesday after ending an eight-day round-the-world diplomatic trip.

"We are committed to avoiding the trap of strategic rivalry and intent on forging a relationship in which we broaden our cooperation on common interests and constructively manage our differences and disagreements," he said.

The comments on Sino-US ties formed part of Kerry's speech at the East-West Center in Hawaii, where he reiterated US commitment to the Asia-Pacific region.

There has been speculation that the situations in Ukraine and Iraq have left Washington overstretched and unable to focus on Asia-Pacific.

Kerry denied this, saying: "We will never forget the long-term strategic imperatives for American interests. ... Nowhere are those strategic opportunities clearer or more compelling than in the Asia-Pacific."

He also said that a constructive relationship between the US and China will contribute to maintaining regional peace and stability.

His tone on China was upbeat when compared with recent critical views voiced by top US officials.

Obama said in a recent interview with The Economist magazine that the West needs to be "pretty firm" with China as Beijing pushes to expand its role in the world economy.

At a Southeast Asia regional security forum in Myanmar last weekend, Kerry joined hands with the Philippines to announce a proposal calling for the freezing of further actions by all claimants in South China Sea disputes. The proposal was rejected by China and most countries in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

Qin Yaqing, vice-president of China Foreign Affairs University, said: "It is common sense that a country must cooperate with China to build regional order in East Asia. Thus, the Americans will not allow conflicts to affect the overall tone of China and the US, which is cooperation."

Yang Xiyu, a researcher at the China Institute of International Studies, said Washington's Asia-Pacific policy is problematic, as it faces challenges coming from the Middle East, Russia and China, with the first two becoming uncontrollable.

"But the challenge from China may also be an opportunity for the US, as the situation here is peaceful and stable."

Yang said Kerry's remarks mainly aim to create a good atmosphere for Obama's visit.

Obama will make his second trip to China in November for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum meeting.

In 2011, Obama announced the US' rebalancing to Asia, with the Asia-Pacific region becoming the strategic focus for Washington, which enhanced its military presence in the area.

However, with the crises in Iraq and Ukraine, there has been talk that the US has begun to rethink its Asia-Pacific rebalancing strategy. But Kerry denied this and said Obama had asked him to redouble his efforts in the region.

Douglas Paal, vice-president for studies and director of the Asia program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, said there is nothing new in Kerry's speech.

"This was another fervent effort to demonstrate that the US remains committed to the Asia-Pacific. Interestingly, the references to rebalancing were sparse, and there were no policy innovations or adjustment. So, long on rhetoric, short on substance."