Chinese defence authorities have said much the same. Since both are visibly careful not to tread on each other's strategic toes, both are credible.
The idea that they need Australia to help adjust any differences is laughable. So is the notion of a clearly defined "balance of power" among the US, China, Japan and India. (Incidentally, the now much-quoted 1815 arrangements in Europe had much less to do with borders than with keeping in check the spirit of revolution that had spread from France in the 1780s and 90s.) Balances of one kind and reach or another will emerge, with the flow of events and economies, and depending on the political intentions and diplomatic skills of the major powers. None of that lends itself to clear predictions, let alone micro-planning.
Australia has its own problems, many of which don't concern the US, such as close relations with Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, the southwest Pacific or Antarctica. Beyond that, Washington will listen to Canberra when Australia has good ideas or something to contribute, or our national interests are at stake, and because we have been a reliable and trusted partner for a century or more.
Meanwhile, the American "pivot" to Asia will maintain US command of the Pacific and support for friends, including Japan, and links with India. The idea that 2500 US marines in Darwin could contain, let alone threaten, China is absurd. What those marines, together with possible future US navy access to Western Australia, might bring to us is something much more important: a primary strategic role in providing support, supply and transit for the US and for any Indo-Pacific alliance it may lead, between the Pacific and the Indian Ocean.
And for secure access, via Diego Garcia, to the Middle East, the Gulf and West Asia.
Some voices will continue to plead that we should stay out of affairs that don't immediately concern Australia. But what could those be? Will Australia not be critically affected by what happens in the eurozone? Or by relations between Israel and Iran? Or by new internet developments anywhere? The idea of "our region" belongs to yesterday.
