希拉里开始亚洲之旅

This is Clinton's third trip to the Asia-Pacific region in some 4 months.

Jin Canrong, Deputy Director of International Studies at China Renmin University, says Clinton is going to make the US policy rebalancing towards the Asia-Pacific clearer.

"The U.S. pivot to Asia policy has drawn some debate in the US. The Washington Post and the Wall Street Journal have both run articles criticizing the policy as not being properly planed. The articles say the policy has led to soured ties between US and other countries in the region."

Clinton's latest trip is intended to play down the growing perception of rising tensions in the region, saying the Pacific is big enough for all countries.

Her visits also come at a sensitive time when the territorial disputes in the East China Sea and the South China Sea are escalating between China and several other Asian nations.

"The talks may cover maritime security, including the tensions over Diaoyu Islands and the disputes in the South China Sea. The U.S may try to tone down the issues. Clinton may also want to clarify that expanded U.S activity in the region is not against particular countries. Meanwhile, the talks may touch on international issues including Syria and Iran."

As for the Diaoyu Island's dispute with Japan, the Chinese foreign ministry has made "solemn representations" to the Japanese government again, following another landing of Japanese citizens on the Islands.

On the South China Sea issue, China and neighboring countries such as Vietnam and the Philippines all lay claim to the region.

The US is calling on all sides to keep a cool head and solve the decades-long disputes through diplomatic means.

Some political scientists suggest that China needs to engage in dialogues with the countries in question so that China can have time to make decisions.

The six-nation trip will also take Clinton to Brunei and Russia, where she will represent U.S President Barack Obama at this year's APEC summit.

For CRI, I'm Shen Chengcheng.