Beijing and Washington both have an interest in maintaining peace in the Asia-Pacific and, toward that end, should work to cooperate, clear up misunderstandings and increase their mutual trust.

That is the message both governments have tried to put forward during US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's visit to Beijing this week.

Clinton's trip to China, her second in a year, has come at a difficult time. Territorial disputes among China and several of its neighbors in the East China Sea and the South China Sea are becoming more intense. The United States, though saying it will not take sides in these disputes, has shown de facto support for parties opposed to China.