Obama in China's 'backyard'

By Zhao Jinglun

November 22, 2012 - http://www.china.org.cn/opinion/2012-11/22/content_27195233.htm

Following his re-election, the first overseas trip US President Barack Obama made was to Southeast Asia, where he chalked up three firsts: became the first sitting American president to visit Myanmar (formerly known as Burma), Cambodia, and also the first to attend the East Asia Summit. His trip also included a stop in Thailand, America's longtime ally.

Why was he in China's "backyard"? According to the Washington Post, one of his advisors was quoted as saying that a renewed focus on Asia will be "a critical part of the president's second term and ultimately his foreign policy legacy."

During his second term in office, a US president does not have to worry about re-election and can therefore concentrate on doing what he has really wanted to do in order to ensure his legacy.

Obama's major strategic shift has been to exit Iraq and Afghanistan and refocus US efforts on the Asia-Pacific. His administration is using the Asia trip as another step in its "pivot to Asia" aimed at strengthening US strategic, security and economic ties in the region and counterbalance China's growing influence.