regardless, this is a growing step for the relationship and all hope it will be for years to come >>> david zlangerer is an independent consultant on china and he explains why process over the dispute in the south china sea will be difficult. >> there are at least two gravitational forces, u.s. and china. you have to feel sorry for the countries that are torn between these two great forces. economically and in terms of stability and in terms of the safety. this is not the year for much progress actually because it is a u.s. election year. in terms of trade policy, in terms of china policy and, indeed, in terms of pacific policy asean policy, this will chaen after november. all you have to do is listen to the u.s. presidential p candidates and you know there are many different views on chi china. in a sense this is a marker trying to show that obama has made progress on his pivot towards asia, but in terms of sb substantive progress very little can happen until the election and there's a new president in office. even the tpp, the trade deal that obama helped negotiate that is not going to be voted on