Washington, beware of your allies' ploys

During his first state visit to the United States, President Xi Jinping's meeting with US President Barack Obama will give an indication of whether the two leaders can use their vision and courage to set the right tone for handling the differences between the two countries and defusing the geopolitical tensions.

If the two leaders agree (even agree to disagree) on vital issues, they will ensure that the two countries maintain a healthy partnership despite all their differences and frictions, especially because the "third-party factor" has become a thorn in China-US ties.

Being the neighbors of China as well as US allies in the Asia-Pacific region, third parties, including Japan and the Philippines, play an important role in Washington's extensive strategic military deployment and pursuit of regional leadership. The US-led alliance is designed to help Washington maintain its forces on the forefront and enjoy second-to-none influence in Pacific-wide security and geopolitics.