CRI听力:Experts Say the US Never Left Asia

Obama has used his speech in Australia to send a message that the United States is, and will continue to be a Pacific power.

U.S. Secretary of State Hilary Clinton declared in Honolulu earlier that the 21st century will be "America's Pacific century."

Jin Canrong, an American studies expert with China's Renmin University, says the United States never actually left the Asia-Pacific region.

"The notion of the United States' return to the region was first introduced by Hilary Clinton back in 2009. It is in fact partially motivated by domestic politics. She intended to blame the Bush administration for focusing too much on an anti-terrorism campaign and ignoring Asia."

Professor Jin adds that the United States is now gearing up for involvement in the Asia-Pacific region.

"The first thing America will do is to increase its military presence, like the recent marine deployment agreement between the US and Australia, and to strengthen military and security cooperation with South Korea, Japan, ASEAN countries and India. The second step is economic and trade pacts, like the TPP. The third way to increase its involvement is through participating in multilateral dialogues within the region. And that is what we are about to see at this year's East Asia Summit."

In response, China has questioned the plan by the U.S. to step up military co-operation with Australia.

The Chinese Foreign ministry says China has its own concept of friendly co-operation with all countries.

Other countries in the region have also expressed similar concerns.

Indonesian Foreign Minister Marti Natalegawa.

"Development of this type must be taken in the wider context of the region, what I would hate to see is if such developments were to provoke reaction and counter-reaction, intended to create a reversed, vicious circle of tension and mistrust or distrust…"

While it seems that the media have singled out the parts within Obama's and Clinton's speeches concerning China, the US president has used his speech to the Australian parliament to emphasize his willingness to co-operate with Beijing.

Obama says, quote, "We've seen that China can be a partner, from reducing tensions on the Korean peninsula, to preventing proliferation".

During his latest meeting with Obama in Hawaii last week, Chinese President Hu Jintao made it clear that China respects the legitimate interests of the United States and sincerely hopes it will play a constructive role in the region.

For CRI, I'm Su Yi.