US diplomacy has long used "bumper sticker" stype phrases to encapsulate the essence of a major policy ("containment", "clear, hold, build", etc.). Under Bush 43, the all encapsulating phrase of the US' policy towards China was "responsible stakeholder," which appeared endlessly in the Administration's communications on China. Obama seems to have very quitely shifted to a new phrase: "strategic reassurance."
I think this is a very big deal, and in fact is a huge shift. It is a sign of a more realist, pragmatic approach to China and is more in tune with efforts at creating a real partnership between the world's two most important countries. I always felt like calling for China to become a "responsible stakeholder" in the international system (which we created...) sounded like the scolding of a disappointed parent... Im glad to see that the new China team has less of a tin ear.
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