This article continues the tradition to dwell upon the US-China rivalry that remains an essential focus of researchers in the XXI century. The People's Republic of China, which disposing of growing economic possibilities and huge military manpower became a strategic threat in the eyes of American policymakers. Thus, the US strategy toward the PRC ranged from “involvement” to “containment” over decades. Today Sino-American relationships represent a complex combination of competition and cooperation. The Asia Pacific region in the given context is analyzed in terms of issues concerning the South China Sea and the US attempts to promote «freedom of navigation» and contain China’s ambitions mentioned in the Salami tactics in 2010. While the American strategic vision of the Central Asia region is in the way of change. This article is concerned with analyzing running confrontation in regional terms, considering that the Asia Pacific region is playing a key role in the competition, whereby Central Asia redefines its place globally since the Belt and Road Initiative started. Chinese regional activity requires the US's adequate response, for this reason, the article examines the imperatives of the two global powers and provides a perspective for the US regional policy toward Asia-Pacific and Central Asian regions.