The Chinese authorities seemed to acquiesce as American forces established a significant presence in Central Asia and strengthened their ties in Southeast Asia, notably in combating terrorism in Indonesia and the Philippines.
Indeed, the Chinese side went so far as to offer to rescue American pilots downed in the South China Sea.
Although it may have seemed that their interests had not been greatly damaged.
The bases used by the Americans in Central Asia were not near China’s borders, and in any case the Russians, who were more immediately affected, did not contest them.
It was not felt in Beijing that the SCO had been rendered ineffective.
Its organization was strengthened and a number of joint military exercises were conducted with adjoining countries.
The Chinese also found their commitment to stability in the region, as registered in their sponsorship of the SCO, useful in persuading the Asia Development Bank to provide loans for extending railway lines and upgrading roads to link Xinjiang with Central Asia. The Chinese side was also active in promoting cross – border economic relations.
As for Southeast Asia, the Chinese appeared satisfied that the increased American involvement was confined largely to the question of opposing terror and that it was not an obstacle to China’s enhancement of its relations with ASEAN.