For more analysis on the US national defense strategy, we spoke earlier with Mr. Teng Jianqun. He is the director for the Center of Arms Control, at the China Institute of International Studies.

TENG JIANQUN, DIRECTOR CENTER FOR ARMS CONTROL, CHINA INST. OF INT'L STUDIES "There is a big gap if you read the document and look at the capability of the United States. Of course on the paper you can see that the United States would like to continue the so called freedom of navigation and continue the commitments to its allies and to enhance its relations with so called friends in southeast Asia.

But if you look at the capability of the United States, actually it denied to give any further commitment to these countries. For example, in NSS report, national security strategy report issued last month by the White House, for the 1st time since 1986, the United States this time declined to give any protection of its allies. So this is a very significant shift for the United States. On one side, it would like to show the presence in this region. On the other side, the United States has not so much capability to continue such commitment or freedom of navigation."