The US is wary of China’s inclusion of the South China Sea as among its “core interests”; its fast-rising military capability to project its own “String of Pearls” maritime strategy in the Asia-Pacific and South Asia-Indian Ocean; its use of “soft power” and various diplomatic initiatives in its expansion of trade, investment and aid in and outside the region; and its growing alliance with Russia at the core of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).
Sa balangkas ng “Asia pivot” ng US, magkakaroon ng “increased rotational presence” o papalaking bilang ng mga nagrerelyebuhang tropa, barko at eroplanong pandigma ng US sa rehiyon ng Asia-Pacific. Mayor na aspeto nito ang pagtatalaga ng 60% ng kabuuang bilang ng mga barko de gera nito sa rehiyon, mula sa 50-50 hatian nito sa ngayon sa Pacific Ocean at Atlantic Ocean.