In Latin America, there is Brazil. China and Brazil have no conflict and, more important, Brasilia needs to coordinate with Beijing to play a greater role in global diplomacy.

And South Africa would be the best choice for a strategic pivot in Africa, because it can help China extend its influence across the continent. The added advantage with South Africa and Brazil is that both are BRICS member states.

Although the idea of strategic pivot is still confined to academia, China could adopt it over the longer term. Economic cooperation has often proved effective in achieving breakthroughs in bilateral relations. After World War II, the US used economic cooperation, even assistance, to form a band of allies, from France and (West) Germany to Japan and the ROK, which could be a valuable example for China.

Of course, money alone cannot buy strategic pivots; mutual strategic needs are also necessary. For example, facing Western sanctions, Russia needs China as a strategic pivot. Regional powers like Brazil and India, too, have shared interests with China because of the relative decline in US power and influence. These are opportunities that China could readily use.

A contrary example, however, is presented by some ASEAN member states. Since these states don't have much strategic needs vis-à-vis China, they tend to side with the US and are supporting its "pivot to Asia" policy. China needs to improve cooperation with such countries in order to stabilize long-term ties with them.

Moreover, China has to focus on a country's political stability when considering it as a possible strategic pivot. Of course, politically stable countries will make better strategic pivots, but some states can maintain good relations with China despite frequent regime change. For example, Thailand has been facing political instability, but almost every government in power in that country has maintained stable ties with China, making it possible to be a strategic pivot.

The author is a senior researcher at the National Institute of International Strategy, affiliated to the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.