( CNN ) -- The United States is sailing back into the Asia-Pacific region , but initial euphoria is being tempered by the dangerous realities of the work left to be done . Like a new college student heading off to school , it is increasingly apparent that gaining admission was the easy part : To graduate requires a full commitment , and there are a number of hurdles along the way . Already , tough decisions are being made with respect to the United States ' global defense strategy , which now recognizes that costly wars with little economic return are no longer viable . Yet while the United States increasingly seeks to obtain a greater share of the Asia Pacific 's economic growth , it similarly sees its military presence in the region as critical for maintaining security . Barack Obama reaffirmed this strategy at the Pentagon on Thursday , stating that `` budget reductions will not come at the expense of this critical region . '' Importantly , the United States ' strong military and diplomatic re-engagement with Asia-Pacific countries , particularly those in Southeast Asia , has not fallen on deaf ears in China . Sharing his concerns with respect to increasing international influence on domestic affairs , Hu Jintao warned in a January 1 statement , `` Hostile international powers are strengthening their efforts to Westernize and divide us . '' Adding to the tension of the United States ' newfound strategy are the political transitions that will , or are likely to occur , in 2012 . The U.S. presidential election , presidential leadership change in China and South Korea , and now the volatile political transition in North Korea will encourage tough rhetoric from politicians with respect to international relations in order to appease constituencies . Strong words present a serious challenge to stability in the Asia-Pacific , particularly as the United States ramps up its military presence . The starting point in the run-up to the United States ' East Asian convocation was Secretary of State Hillary Clinton 's October 11 article , `` America 's Pacific Century , '' published in Foreign Policy . She identified five areas for re-engaging the region , including bilateral security , deepening working relationships , multilateralism , trade and finally , human rights and democracy . The areas Clinton outlined for re-engagement are also important to Asia-Pacific states , and particularly the relatively small Southeast Asian nations . Yet while trade relations with the United States are vital for sustaining Southeast Asia 's significant economic growth , the greatest gains from increased cooperation with America will come in the form of military protection . Across the region , governments are increasingly concerned with China 's military might , as much as they are happy with China 's economic investments . Teaming with the United States is a sensible insurance policy . But the United States ' increased military presence in the region , which will include marines in Australia , naval ships in Singapore and increased military cooperation with the Philippines and Vietnam , while having the potential to lend stability , also raises the stakes as to what could go wrong . Now , more than ever , with impending political change on both sides of the Pacific , politicians are keen to assert themselves as strong on defense and as advocates of their respective national interests . One instance in which heightened regional tensions are especially evident is with the increasingly frequent spats over energy reserves in the South China Sea , an area recognized by the Philippines as the `` West Philippine Sea '' and by Vietnam as the `` East Sea . '' The lack of consensus with respect to a name for the same body of water evidences how possessive governments are of this energy-rich area . Regarding their maritime claims , Philippines Secretary for Foreign Affairs Albert Del Rosario stated in December that the United States is increasingly willing to assist the Philippines ' efforts to develop a `` minimum credible defense posture '' with respect to the disputed territories . However , recent and planned U.S. military actions in the Asia-Pacific could be construed by China as exceeding a `` minimum , '' and incidents such as one in October 2011 , in which a Philippines naval vessel bumped into a Chinese fishing boat alleged to be encroaching on the former 's territorial waters , now have a greater potential to escalate . Ultimately America needs to recognize and respect the accomplishments China has achieved in its own backyard , in spite of the country 's shortfalls in winning over the trust of its neighbors . After directing its attention largely elsewhere for most of the last decade , America has pragmatically recognized that its own long-term security , whether at home or abroad , is tied closely to the Asia-Pacific region 's economic progress . East Asian countries have shown they are willing to offer the United States opportunities for investment in return for security assistance . But without effective dialogue with China in particular , the risk of military escalation is much more real . The United States just exited one costly war and is ramping down another ; it therefore needs to ensure it does n't lose sight of its economic priorities in the Asia-Pacific , and the best way to do this is through more effective dialogue with China with regard to its military intentions . The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Andrew Billo .
America is rightly focusing on Asia but it must recognize the risks , says Andre Billo . He says Asian nations fear China 's power but appreciate its investments . U.S. is seen by these countries as a security counterweight to China , he says . Billo : U.S. must guard against risk of an incident being escalated into war .