China Economic Review
Charting China’s changing economic terrain · Since 1990
Obama says US does not wish to "contain" China
November 17, 2009
In his Tokyo speech, Barack Obama, the president of the United States, outlined his approach to the Pacific Rim. Noting his family ties to Asia, he stressed his desire for a cooperative relationship with China. President Obama stressed that he wants a cooperative relationship with China in which the two nations act as responsible global powers, setting aside differences to cope with climate change, nuclear proliferation and economic instability.
Obama said the US has no wish to "contain" China, a strategy that grew out of the Cold War era when the American government strove to block the spread of communism.
LA Times blog reported President Obama as saying, "I know there are many who question how the United States perceives China’s emergence. But, as I have said, in an interconnected world, power does not need to be a zero-sum game, and nations need not fear the success of another. Cultivating spheres of cooperation – not competing spheres of influence – will lead to progress in the Asia Pacific."
"The rise of a strong, prosperous China can be a source of strength for the community of nations."
One Japanese analyst said Obama hit the right notes for audiences across Asia.