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US to send 60% naval fleet to Asia-Pacific
Source: Xinhua |
June 3, 2012, Sunday
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Online Edition
Online Edition
YESTERDAY is the second day of the Shangri-la dialogue, an annual regional defense summit. Ministers and senior defense officials discussed territorial issues in the South China Sea, Afghan reconstruction and the on-going tension on the Korean peninsula.
It was expected, but today we get the details. The Pentagon plans to deploy 60 percent of its fleet in the Asia-Pacific. This is part of the United States' strategic shift back to the region.
US Defense Secretary, Leon Panetta, announced this during the Singapore Security Summit on Saturday. But he rejected the idea this would lead to greater tensions with China.
US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta says, "Some view the increased emphasis by the United States in the Asia-Pacific region as some kind of challenge to China. I reject that view entirely." "Our effort to renew and intensify our involvement in Asia is fully compatible, fully compatible, with the development and growth of China."
Rival territorial claims in the South China Sea are one of the biggest potential flashpoints in the region.
Some countries in the region hold territorial claims to a waterway that provides 10 per cent of the global fisheries catch and carries 5 trillion U.S. dollars in ship-borne trade.
The United States says it will not take sides in South China Sea disputes.
Panetta also says, "The US position is clear and consistent. We call for restraint and for diplomatic resolution. We oppose provocation, we oppose coercion and we oppose the use of force. We do not take sides when it comes to competing territorial claims."
Also discussed during the summit are tensions on the Korean peninsula and the reconstruction of Afghanistan.
China has downgraded its representation to the Shangri-La Dialogue from last year. This year the Chinese military is represented by the vice president of the Academy of Military Sciences.
It was expected, but today we get the details. The Pentagon plans to deploy 60 percent of its fleet in the Asia-Pacific. This is part of the United States' strategic shift back to the region.
US Defense Secretary, Leon Panetta, announced this during the Singapore Security Summit on Saturday. But he rejected the idea this would lead to greater tensions with China.
US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta says, "Some view the increased emphasis by the United States in the Asia-Pacific region as some kind of challenge to China. I reject that view entirely." "Our effort to renew and intensify our involvement in Asia is fully compatible, fully compatible, with the development and growth of China."
Rival territorial claims in the South China Sea are one of the biggest potential flashpoints in the region.
Some countries in the region hold territorial claims to a waterway that provides 10 per cent of the global fisheries catch and carries 5 trillion U.S. dollars in ship-borne trade.
The United States says it will not take sides in South China Sea disputes.
Panetta also says, "The US position is clear and consistent. We call for restraint and for diplomatic resolution. We oppose provocation, we oppose coercion and we oppose the use of force. We do not take sides when it comes to competing territorial claims."
Also discussed during the summit are tensions on the Korean peninsula and the reconstruction of Afghanistan.
China has downgraded its representation to the Shangri-La Dialogue from last year. This year the Chinese military is represented by the vice president of the Academy of Military Sciences.
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