Evolving US relations in East Asia

The world has accepted that this will be Asia’s century, and never has that been more underscored by the current events shaping the region. President Barack Obama is kicking off his second term by touring Thailand, Cambodia, and Myanmar, in a move that will pose new challenges to strategic interests.

It is clear that the US is keen to counter China’s power in the East Asian region. Many observers believe that while America is enthusiastic about building relations with economically-powerful East Asian nations, it is also conscious of getting a toehold in fringe countries such as Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar, which have stayed within China’s almost exclusive influence for decades.

Analysts who expected a growing China to become more Westernised are now seeing the opposite – the world is becoming more Chinese. In such a background the US is hemmed between economic competition and perceived moral obligations. In essence Obama’s conundrum in the region boils down to human rights versus strategic interests.

Take the example of Cambodia. This is the first time that a sitting US Head of State is visiting Cambodia, and a dozen US lawmakers – Republicans and Democrats alike – have called on Obama to publically address a myriad of alleged abuses under the “autocratic” rule of Prime Minister Hun Sen.

They have also called on the US President to request that Cambodia’s Opposition Leader Sam Rainsy – presently in self-imposed exile – be pardoned ahead of next year’s national elections. If the US lawmakers get their way in terms of discussions between Obama and Hun Sen, it will not be without major costs to relations between Phnom Penh and Washington.

In their letter, the US lawmakers argue that missing this chance to press democratic values in Cambodia would strengthen China’s hand in the region. However, as has been proved before, keeping human rights at the centre of bilateral relations may not bring high returns to the US.

America has also been strengthening its military bases in the region, sending contingents of navy and air force troops to Philippines and Australia, often borrowing military bases that are strategically important to China.

Obama’s tour to Myanmar is also historic not only because of the reforms happening in that country but also because it is taking place in the midst of international condemnation of President Sein’s oppression of minorities. Under its previous policies it would have preferred to avoid association with Myanmar rather than send a Head of State there.

America’s willingness to engage with the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) leaders, who they have previously condemned for turning a blind eye to Myanmar’s sketchy human rights record, is another indication of how the US has changed its policy.

Earlier this month in Laos, European leaders met with their Asian counterparts to urge for more financial assistance for the embattled Eurozone, working hard to promote the structural reforms that are being put in place and giving out generous assurances of stability. They were also eyeing China’s estimated US$ 3 trillion in foreign reserves, but received no words of encouragement from Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao.

The “tone” of US engagement is clearly changing, with smaller Asian nations able to command a stronger level of independence in their interaction with America than before. However, the region remains in need of both China and US to reach its goals of development, but whether the evolving policies will create a better environment for them remains to be seen.