Returning to Asia with challenges

The visit that takes place before US President Barack Obama’s trip to Asia scheduled for April, aims to promote the US strategy on pivoting to Asia.

Amidst escalating tension in the region, Kerry’s trip is described as just a courtesy visit because it would be difficult for Washington to make certain decisions on pressing issues in this region. 

Kerry will visit the Republic of Korea, China, Indonesia and the United Arab Emirates. In each country, Kerry’s talks will focus on ways to strengthen bilateral ties and hot issues in the world.

Warming up the US strategy on pivoting to Asia

In the Republic of Korea, Kerry is scheduled to meet with senior government leaders to strengthen the US-Korean alliance. Both sides will discuss measures to expand bilateral cooperation in regional and global issues as well as in the Pyongyang issue.

US Secretary of State John Kerry arrives at Seoul military airport in Seoul on Feb. 13, 2014- Photo: Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images

Beijing, Kerry and Chinese leaders will discuss regional issues including those related to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. US-Sino cooperation in climate change and clean energy will also be high on the agenda.

In Jakarta, Kerry will reiterate the US’s appreciation of Indonesia’s pioneer role in dealing with global challenges and discuss ways to cooperate with Indonesia in climate change, security, democracy, regional integration and human rights.

Kerry and the ASEAN Secretary General will co-chair a meeting of the Joint Committee under the US-Indonesian Comprehensive Partnership framework to strengthen US relations with multilateral institutions in Asia.

He will wrap up his Asia tour with a visit to the United Arab Emirates where he will meet with senior UAE leaders to discuss issues of mutual concern.

Challenges to US external policy in Asia

The US Secretary of State’s message to China is attracting great concern from the world public. Prior to this trip, the spokesperson for the US State Department Jen Psaki was quoted as saying that the US pursued a dynamic relationship and comprehensive cooperation with China and appreciated the emergence of a peaceful and prosperous China which played an important role in international issues.

This statement drew the international community’s attention because it was made in the context of Beijing’s increasing territorial ambition after China revealed its plan to set up an air defense identification zone in the East Sea.

Few days ago, Washington asked China to adjust its sovereignty demands in the East Sea. Beijing has immediately strongly criticized this statement twice.

In the South China Sea, Kerry, before his visit to China, reiterated US commitment to protecting its Japanese ally against any attacks including those on disputed islands with China.

But with his message to China during this visit, many experts question whether Washington can maintain its rebalancing strategy or are they just temporary commitments.

Moreover, Japan and the Philippines, which are the US’s two major allies, are not included in Kerry’s tour of Asia. This is forecast to cause a lot of difficulties for the US “pivot to Asia” strategy.

Kerry’s visit to Seoul is likely to cause more tension in its relations with Pyongyang in the context of the approaching US-RoK joint military drill.

The message that the US government is trying to convey during Kerry’s visit is quite complicated showing that the US strategy for Asia is not easy. Washington wants to enhance cooperation and at the same time control Beijing.