ABSTRACT
The South and East China Sea territorial disputes, in addition to highlighting the complex regional dynamics in the maritime domain, also underscore the challenges in the US-China relationship. At the 2010 Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Regional Forum, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton emphasized Washington's interest in maintaining freedom of navigation and commerce in the Asia-Pacific. In particular, the emergence of both the South and East China Seas as flashpoints for potential conflict highlights maritime security challenges in US-China relations. The United States' insistence on multilateral dispute resolution, emphasis on international law and deepening relations with some Southeast Asian claimant states are likely to fan Chinese resentment of both US attention to the sea and its expanding military presence in the region. While the US has emphasized that the rebalancing is not aimed at containing China, it has become increasingly difficult for Washington to differentiate regional security concerns in Asia from Beijing's growing power and influence.
