Beijing wary of Obamas assertive China policy

The Beijing government is trying to understand the shift,tasking academic experts to review the initiatives and submit options on how to respond.

The US is overreacting, said Zhu Feng,an international relations expert at Peking University who was asked to study Washingtons moves and make recommendations. He said the government may feel bewildered by the Obama initiatives.

Meanwhile,state media are warning of a new US containment strategy.

The US sees a growing threat to its hegemony from China. Therefore,Americas strategic move east is aimed in practical terms at pinning down and containing China and counterbalancing Chinas development, the official Xinhua News Agency said in a commentary.

Obama told the Australian Parliament on Thursday the US intends to deter threats to peace and will remain an Asia-Pacific power. On Friday,Obama will become the first US President to attend a summit of East Asian leaders,a region that China sees as its rightful sphere of influence.