China or U.S. - Who Owns the Pacific Century?

In early 1941, when America was still standing by as a neutral observer of the European battlefield, Time Magazine founder Henry Luce wrote an essay calling on his countrymen to abandon isolationism, assume the role of democratic missionary and establish “the first great American century.”

Fast forward to another American essay, delivered last month by US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on the eve of the 19th gathering of leaders of the APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) forum. Clinton described how America’s strategic focus over the next decade will shift to the Asia-Pacific region. This, she declared, will establish “America’s Pacific Century.”