US should learn from allies' actions

That Sino-US ties are the most important bilateral relationship of the 21st century is widely accepted by politicians and scholars on both sides. For the US, that means it cannot ignore China in its global strategy especially when it comes to the Asia-Pacific region.

That's essentially why US President Barack Obama is visiting Japan, the Republic of Korea, Malaysia and the Philippines just one week after US Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel concluded his visit to China, Japan and Mongolia. Such frequent visits by top US leaders to Asia carry deep strategic meanings. For instance, their visits are aimed at strengthening the US' ties with its allies in the region, in particular boosting Japan's confidence to counter China's growing influence.

Since the end of 2013 there has been a growing feeling within the US and among its allies that Washington is not being able to protect the latter's core interests. Their worry has aggravated after Russia annexed the Crimea region of Ukraine dealing a blow to the US' image of invincibility.