China furthers goals in Asia amid US focus on the Middle East

China appears to be taking advantage of US focus on the Middle East to further its strategic goals in Asia, analysts said. Washington’s withdrawal of an aircraft carrier from the Pacific and its criticism of South Korea suggest, in the words of one analyst, that the Obama-era “Asia pivot is dead.” (Not all experts are so downbeat.) Beijing is making moves, too, including installing permanent infrastructure in Taiwan’s exclusive economic zone and pressuring the Philippines in disputed waters. “No one expects China to curb its expansionist activities in the region anytime soon,” The New York Times’ diplomatic correspondent wrote. “And there are growing doubts among Asian nations over what the United States would be willing to do to deter China.”