Chinese President Hu Jintao’s visit to the United States this week and his meeting with President George W. Bush at the White House will be closely watched in. Southeast Asia will be particularly concerned with the geostrategic tussle between Washington and Beijing; they note with renewed concern troubled cross-Strait relations, which could make or break crucial ties between the two powers. All ASEAN countries have pledged a “one China” policy to Beijing, but they fear that Taipei could rock the boat and provoke instability in the region; Washington’s pledge to maintain regional stability is thus crucial.