US tries balance on Asian security

Trump boosts pledge to Tokyo, avoids confronting Beijing

While Washington has elevated its security commitment to Japan during the visit of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, observers noted that the White House has avoided going too far in aligning with Japan's plans to contain China.

Still, China should be prepared politically and militarily because some of the US security pledges made to Abe will harm its core interests, including its sovereignty rights and stability in its neighborhood, analysts said.