Xi Jinping, the man destined to become China’s leader later this year, is steeped in the country’s military. The son of a famous communist guerrilla leader from the 1930s, his first job was as personal assistant to the defence minister and he proudly wore military uniform to the office every day.

So when Mr Xi arrives in Washington 13th February for an official visit, he will doubtless pay particular attention to the historic shift in military strategy that the US is putting in place in Asia.

With the troops already out of Iraq and the war in Afghanistan winding down, the administration of President Barack Obama has called for a significant transfer in resources and strategy towards the Asia-Pacific region – even at a time when the country’s finances are under huge pressure. “We will be strengthening our presence in the Asia-Pacific,” Mr Obama declared last month, “and budget reductions will not come at the expense of that critical region.”