In her first overseas trip as secretary of state, Hillary Clinton will be visiting Japan, South Korea, China, and Indonesia starting this Sunday. The choice of Asia as the location for Clinton’s first tour underscores how important the Obama administration holds future U.S. relations in the region, and rightly so. Many Asian economies have featured rapid growth and military expansion over the last few decades as they profit from an abundance of natural resources and increases in foreign direct investment.
The United States also plans to use its diplomatic presence in Asia to counter China’s growing influence in the region, particularly in Southeast Asia. Countries like Vietnam and Indonesia have seen a notable expansion of Chinese commercial interests in their countries, and the support of the United States as a counter-force is reassuring.