Both sides, wary of the other's strength, are seeking to strengthen regional alliances: America by schmoozing India and persuading Japan to be more assertive, China by cosying up to Russia and the Central Asian states.

ECONOMIST: The dragon comes calling

The Obama administration is seeking to significantly increase its diplomatic presence in Asia, as a number of U.S. allies in the region voice concerns about China's increasingly assertive positions on territorial, security and economic issues.

WSJ: Clinton Presses China to Do More to Restrain North Korea

"China has become increasingly confident and assertive in recent years, " notes Willem van Kemanade, a Dutch writer based in Beijing.

CNN: U.S. and China: When giants meet