cooperation, peace and security. The speech was a clear affirmation of the peaceful rise strategy that had also been affirmed by China’s top foreign policy official. But to hear it from the military, which is far more hawkish, was something quite new. China’s neighbors were still nervous. At the same summit, the defense secretaries from the Philippines and Vietnam both said they were worried about maritime challenges from other countries. Of course, they meant China. And their words were bolstered by rare anti-China demonstrations in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Now, U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates also attended the Shangri-La Dialogue. The American speech was one of reassurance to China’s neighbors. Gates focused on commitment, relationships and talk of a presence in the region. So, China pushed too hard and then drew back. The United States signaled to other Asian countries that it was not going anywhere. The great game of Asian geopolitics has just begun. I have a feeling we’re all going to be watching these moves and counter moves for years to come.