A Consideration of America’s Strategic Objectives and Policy Limitations in the Asia Pacific Region

　　Abstract: This paper argues that the United States uses Asian Pacific Cooperation in order to strategically block intraregional integration. This strategy has been relatively successful, not only guaranteeing that the United States continuously benefits from economic progress in East Asia, but also allowing it to direct political and security developments in the region, weakening regional identity. This has lead to cross regional developments drawing inertia away from intraregional integration. America’s Asia Pacific Cooperation strategy has it limits though in that it functions to maintain a lose, open framework within the region which does not play a positive role in promoting the development of a tightly knit Asia Pacific Community. This is determined by its interests with respect to the global order, structural constraints and its interests within the Asia Pacific Region. As such, America will continue participating in Asia Pacific cooperation, but its participation will have its limitations.

　　Author: Song Wei is an Associate Professor in the Department of International Relations at Peking University