- (WSJ 16/11) Beijing Resists Sea Debate During East Asia Summit, as Beijing has long advocated addressing territorial disputes there with each of the claimants one by one.

- (National Interest 15/11) China Furthers Washington’s Cause in the South Sea: China has been troubling its neighbors lately, and that makes it easier for President Obama to court Asian nations.

- (Washington Post 16/11) U.S. pivot to Asia makes China nervous: China is feeling at once isolated, criticized, encircled and increasingly like a target of U.S. moves" Excellent!  Punk! Some analysts said China’s response to America’s new Asia posture is for the moment likely to be restrained. China is facing a leadership change in 2012, they noted, and Beijing is unlikely to make any moves that might upset the carefully choreographed transition.

- (New York Times 15/11) As U.S. Looks to Asia, It Sees China Everywhere: Over the past year and a half, China has moved to assert territorial claims in the resource-rich but hotly contested waters near the Philippines and Vietnam. Many of the region’s smaller countries have asked Washington to re-engage in the region as a counterweight; Dispute Over Bare Islands Underscores Philippines’ Rocky Relations With China: “But the fact that China would make such a brash and astounding claim to the entire South China Sea is disconcerting. I think there’s a feeling that we can’t allow our economic dependence on China let them trample all over us.”

- (Eurasia Review 13/11) Vietnam President: Interest In Taking Relationship With US To ‘Next Level’: “Vietnam views the U.S. as a very important partner. If we cooperate, it meets the interest of both countries and brings peace” to the region.

- (Mainichi News 16/11) ASEAN foreign ministers kick off meeting to prepare summits: They need to establish a code of conduct that is legally binding, but China has been reluctant to enter into a binding agreement.

- (Yomiuri 16/11) Relations with U.S., China call for determined diplomacy: It is essential for Japan to pursue strategic diplomacy with the United States and china if effective international rules are to be worked out to ensure peace and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region.

- (Taipei Times 16/11) China holds its fire at Obama ahead of Bali meetings: ASEAN backed away from the Philippines’ push for a united maritime stand against China at this week’s summit after Beijing warned against such a move.

- (BBC 15/11) Philippines gas hunt may stir tensions: Video story,

- (Mail Online 15/11) Obama will pledge to increase America's military presence in the Asia-Pacific region when he begins Australia tour.

- (Project Syndicate 14/11) Re-Orienting America: Regardless of whether the twenty-first century will be another “American century,” it is certain that it will be an Asian and Pacific century. It is both natural and sensible that the US be central to whatever evolves from that fact.

- (Wall Street Journal 14/11) Obama Seeks New Pacific Influence: President Says 'We Are Here to Stay' at Start of East Asia Trip, but Beijing Challenges U.S. Role as Dominant Power.

- (Foreign Policy 14/11) Is Beijing in control?: from long experience in the trenches of the free trade and globalization battles that what Clinton is really saying is that China and the rest of Asia have to become more like the U.S. This is a hard sell. In fact, it hasn't sold yet anywhere in Asia.

- (Council on Foreign Relations 13/11) Strengthening Economic Ties with Asia: If you looked at America's economic engagement in the Asia Pacific without TPP, you see that America's been really locked out of all the future agreements and other things going on; Confronting U.S.-China Economic Imbalances: Without addressing the root of the problem--America's chronic saving shortfall--it is ludicrous to believe that there can be a bilateral solution for a multilateral problem.

- (Time World 14/11) Philippines Rejects Latest China Claim: "The areas that we're offering for bidding are all within Philippine territory, Layug said. "There is no doubt about that."

- (LA Times 14/11) On Asia-Pacific trip, Obama's focus is on China: The president is expected to signal that the U.S. can serve as a reliable counterweight to Beijing, and that it wants to shore up alliances in the region... “No region will do more to shape our long-term economic future than the Asian-Pacific region.“

- (National Interest 9/11) Who Will Respond to China?: On the one hand, continued economic and diplomatic engagement among all parties is essential. So, too, is "a military hedge"—maintaining credible military power in the region to discourage China from pursuing regional hegemony.

- (Economic Times 13/11) China tensions stoke Vietnam naval ambitions: Facing an emboldened and heavily armed China in a territorial stand-off, Vietnam is looking to swell its naval reputation with enhanced firepower and renewed pride in its maritime past. 

- (New York Times 12/11) Obama Sees an Opening on China Trade: “We’re going to be going through some tough fiscal positions back home,” but, Asia “has to remain a top priority” because it is “the fastest-growing region in the world.”

- (Inquirer 14/11) Australia backs Philippines on Spratlys bid: Asked whether there was an expression of support, Lacierda said, “Yes, yes.”

- (Australian Times 14/11) Hello again America, it's just like you never left: "So I don't think there is any doubt, if there were when this administration began, that the United States is back in Asia. But I want to underscore that we are back to stay."Hillary Clinton, US Secretary of State, January 12, 2010.