China-US relations in a turbulent Asia

U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta visited China on Sept. 17. His Asia-Pacific trip has attracted worldwide attention, given the importance of Sino-US relations and growing tensions between China and Japan over the Diaoyu Islands issue. At present, as the world suffers economic downturn, Asia-Pacific stability concerns Asian countries’ prosperity and well-being as well as U.S. economic recovery and national interests. The United States should take the overall situation into consideration, take no sides on the Diaoyu Islands issue, and make effective efforts to prevent further deterioration of China-Japan relations.