US can no longer deny China's rise

The just concluded APEC conference is already being lauded as an unequivocal success. In particular, China's vision for the Free Trade Area of the Asia - Pacific has been hailed by one and sundry.

APEC members big and small have given China's inclusive approach to economic integration and partnership a resounding vote of confidence. This is consistent with the theme of the conference: inclusiveness, partnership and togetherness. But political tensions remain despite clear progress made at the landmark APEC conference.

Handshakes all-round among the participating leaders symbolized a fresh and optimistic outlook, and China should be applauded for creating such an amicable atmosphere amid a multitude of strained political relations across the region.

China-Japan relations were the focus of attention for many before, during and immediately after the conference. President Xi Jinping could not have demonstrated greater diplomatic acumen than having a brief meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, even though the Japanese government is yet to issue any sort of public apology for the country's wartime atrocities and give a hint that Japanese leaders would refrain from visiting Yasukuni Shrine, which, among others, honors 14 Class-A war criminals.

But despite that, China-US relations remain of paramount importance for the long-term, significant progress in economic integration and partnership across the Asia-Pacific region. Rather, it is the US' genuine acceptance of China as the leader and engine of growth in the Asia-Pacific that is needed, and needed right now.

While US President Barack Obama and President Xi appeared to have a relaxed and engaging meeting over dinner, soon followed by some relationship-building rhetoric by Obama, the US needs to say and do a lot more to convince all APEC members of China's leading role in the region.