During his visit, it was interesting that Hu was constantly reminding his American audience that cooperation between the world's biggest developed nation and the world's biggest developing nation would benefit the entire world. Hu's words in the US, whether they were in private or at the White House or in public speeches, sought to assure his listeners that China's peaceful development would be beneficial to everyone, including the US. This has been the point that Chinese leaders have constantly reiterated during their foreign visits.

China knows full well that its growing power comes with growing responsibilities. So far, China has been very selective in exercising any of its newfound political clout. As the only Asian member of the UN Security Council, China knows its power and voice. For instance, China has been given credit by the US government for bringing North Korea to the negotiating table in regard to efforts to rein in that country's nuclear capacity. So far, Beijing has done enough to keep the talks going without jeopardising its excellent relations with Pyongyang.

However, when it comes to Iran's ambitions of becoming a nuclear power, China has displayed a completely different attitude. Beijing has its own strategic plan for dealing with Iran. It cannot go all-out in supporting an international boycott led by the US and Europe, because that would harm Chinese interests, especially in the energy sector.

China must still show the world it can take international issues that affect global peace and stability seriously; otherwise, Beijing's actions will be viewed with the suspicion that its involvement is contingent only on its own interests and without any genuine concern for global peace and stability.

Becoming a responsible international player requires a good start at home. China's record on protecting human rights and the freedom of expression is dismal. While recognising the importance of information, the Chinese leaders continue to view its free flow, as well as press freedom, as threatening to its monopoly on power. Large numbers of journalists have been arrested and detained. Anti-government websites have been shut down. US President George W Bush chose to lecture Hu on the benefits of democratisation and openness in China, because these would greatly benefit the Chinese people. But it will take the Chinese leaders' own realisation that charity begins at home.

Bush also reassured Hu on the US government's one-China policy, much to the chagrin of Taiwan. But Hu's host merely stated the obvious, knowing full well that any unilateral shift in policy, whether from Beijing or from Taipei, would produce a disastrous outcome.

Bush's assurances were aimed at allaying fears among the hard-liners in Beijing that the US would be willing to go to war with China over Taiwan. With the Kuomintang Party, Taiwan's opposition, working hard to reconcile with China, the one-China policy could further ease the current tensions in the Taiwan Strait.

US-Chinese relations, whatever their condition, cannot help but have a major impact on the regional shape of things. Both powers are competing to strengthen their roles and their presence in this part of the world. So far, China has an edge over the US. But in the future, the field will remain wide open, and it will then be crucial to evaluate how these ties benefit the region.