An Analysis Of The Obama Administration’s"Rebalancing" Toward The Asia-Pacific

In the fall of2011, the Obama administration announced its strategy of“rebalancing” toward the Asia-Pacific, with an aim to influence the development ofthe region’s norms and rules.In this thesis, I will discuss the driving forces behind this strategy, focusing on itsrelation with China. This thesis will analyze the benefits and costs of the “therebalancing”, discussing the rising importance of the Asia-Pacific, the substantial U.S.budget cut and “fiscal cliff”, and the credibility of the “rebalancing”. This thesiscontinues to discuss the implication of the rebalancing toward the Asia-Pacific.This thesis will discuss the Obama administration’s “rebalancing” in threedimensions: military, economy and diplomacy.In the military dimension, the thesis will look at new elements different fromprevious administrations; pressures from budget reductions and shrinking resources;China’s military modernization behind U.S. greater priority toward the region; itsimplication to the region’s stability and development. The part of economic spherewill focus on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), the significance of China’seconomic development, and the economic cooperation and FTA building in the region.In the diplomatic dimension, the thesis discusses the importance of multilateralinstitutions in Asia, the rising influence of China, and the U.S.-China relationship andits impact to the region. The thesis also gives recommendations for the U.S. andChinese government in handling their relationship, aiming to promote the stability andprosperity of the region, which is to the benefit of every party over the long term.The thesis argues that the Obama administration’s “rebalancing” toward theAsia-Pacific is not going to work. The United States needs to respect the demands andinterests of the region and make significant changes to the strategy, if it want to keepits leading role and protect its core interests in the region.