Clinton to visit China after President Hu makes the rounds

American Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is headed to Japan, Indonesia, South Korea and China this week for a series of talks aimed at strengthening ties across the Pacific Ocean.  Clinton has outlined that her priorities for her trip include:

• A more “rigorous and persistent commitment and engagement” with allies in Asia
• Working with Asian powers to confront the financial crisis
• Preventing nuclear proliferation in Asia (i.e. North Korea)
• Cooperating with China to combat climate change, potentially with a “climate pact” that would seek out common economic goals for both Washington and Beijing

Many experts and media sources have pointed out that Clinton’s first trip in her new job is significant because it seeks out “rising Asia” and the need for the US to engage it.  And, Clinton’s visit to ascendant China will be, naturally, the centerpiece of her diplomatic tour.  Perhaps the Chinese news source Xinhua has said it most clearly, describing China as an “essential partner” for the US.  Howard LaFranchi in the Christian Science Monitor also writes a compelling analysis of the US’ key relationship with “rising Asia”, highlighting Indonesia in particular.

Clinton’s trip will come on the heels of Chinese President Hu Jintao’s return from visits to the Middle East and Africa.

The past few years have seen increased Chinese economic involvement in Africa, particularly in the form of investments and infrastructure projects.  China has come under fire for what some call “ethics-blind aid”, ignoring the policies and politics of nations it engages with for trade, seeking only to capitalize on plentiful natural resources and business opportunities.  2008 alone saw China’s total FDI in Africa at $107 billion.

Hu’s visit to resource-poor nations this time, including Senegal, Tanzania, Mauritius and Mali, attempts to dispel this accusation.  Hu has pledged $90 million to Senegal for infrastructure projects and $74.9 million for a Sino-Malian “Friendship Bridge”, all as part of a campaign to improve China’s image as a responsible global player willing to dole out aid for aid’s sake.  The Africa trip, however, follows Hu’s visit to Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).  In Saudi, Hu pledged to build a $1.8 billion monorail in Mecca for Hajj pilgrims, hardly unrelated to China’s energy security and increasing dependence on Saudi oil.

Secretary of State Clinton and her boss, President Barack Obama, will be keenly aware of China’s continuing influence in the Middle East and Africa.  Clinton’s visit to Beijing this week will be a key indicator of how the US and China will navigate their complex relationship during the months to come.

Check out the FPA’s China blog here: chinatrade.foreignpolicyblogs.com.