By Chua Chin Hon, US Bureau Chief

Washington - On the surface of things, United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's maiden mission to Asia is all about selling her boss' vision of a gentler and more inclusive form of foreign policy.

Beneath all the jet-setting, handshakes and media events in foreign capitals, however, domestic political observers are also watching the trip closely for clues to a growing question here: Will she be the new 'China czar'?

Tongues started wagging late last month when Mrs Clinton told reporters that the US needed a 'comprehensive dialogue' with China, not just an economic one that the previous administration seemed to focus on.

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