Our rebalance to the Asia-Pacific region is not an attempt to contain China.  It is an attempt to engage China and expand its role in the Pacific.  It is about creating a new model in the relationship of two Pacific powers.  It is about renewing and revitalizing our role in a part of the world that is rapidly becoming more critical to our economic, diplomatic and security interests.

Dichiarazione del Segretario alla Difesa statunitense Leon Panetta