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US to enhance military presence in Asia
Source: Xinhua |
June 4, 2011, Saturday
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Online Edition
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THE US Secretary of Defense Robert Gates reassured its allies in the Asia-Pacific region yesterday that it will maintain and enhance its strong presence in the region, while reiterating the principle of resolving conflict without the use of force.
In a speech that best demonstrates the strategy of the United States for growing its influence in Asia, Gates elaborated on the history of its relations with allies such as Japan and South Korea over the past decades as well as countries such as Vietnam and India.
"Taken together, all of these developments demonstrate the commitment of the United States to sustaining a robust military presence in Asia -- one that underwrites stability by supporting and reassuring allies while deterring, and if necessary defeating, potential adversaries," Gates said.
The defense chief said the United States has taken a number of steps towards establishing a defense posture across the Asia-Pacific "that is more geographically distributed, operationally resilient, and politically sustainable."
The military posture proposed will maintain American presence in Northeast Asia while enhancing US presence in Southeast Asia and the Indian Ocean, he said.
Gates also said the US military is going to be increasing its port calls, naval engagements, and multilateral training efforts with multiple countries throughout the region in the coming years.
The US presence and the associated impact and influences should not solely be measured in terms of conventional metrics, or "boots on the ground," he said, responding to questions from US representatives and representatives of its allies crying wolf over the development of China at a dialogue session.
Gates said the US Navy and Air Force are working together to develop a new concept of operations called Air-Sea Battle, despite acknowledging that Cold War turbulence has given way to new partnerships and cooperation in nations across Asia.
The concept of Air-Sea Battle is aimed to ensure the US military will "continue to be able to deploy, move and strike over great distances in defense of allies and vital interests."
Nevertheless, Gates also said that the United States and China are working together to build a positive, cooperative and comprehensive relationship, and that the military-to-military ties have steadily improved in recent months.
As defense minister, he has made it a priority to build military-to-military ties, and there is now an important dialogue mechanism, he said.
Gates was speaking at the 10th Asia Security Summit hosted by the London-based think tank International Institute for Strategic Studies, also known as the Shangri-La dialogue. It gathers defense ministers and senior defense officials from 27 countries and regions this year.
In a speech that best demonstrates the strategy of the United States for growing its influence in Asia, Gates elaborated on the history of its relations with allies such as Japan and South Korea over the past decades as well as countries such as Vietnam and India.
"Taken together, all of these developments demonstrate the commitment of the United States to sustaining a robust military presence in Asia -- one that underwrites stability by supporting and reassuring allies while deterring, and if necessary defeating, potential adversaries," Gates said.
The defense chief said the United States has taken a number of steps towards establishing a defense posture across the Asia-Pacific "that is more geographically distributed, operationally resilient, and politically sustainable."
The military posture proposed will maintain American presence in Northeast Asia while enhancing US presence in Southeast Asia and the Indian Ocean, he said.
Gates also said the US military is going to be increasing its port calls, naval engagements, and multilateral training efforts with multiple countries throughout the region in the coming years.
The US presence and the associated impact and influences should not solely be measured in terms of conventional metrics, or "boots on the ground," he said, responding to questions from US representatives and representatives of its allies crying wolf over the development of China at a dialogue session.
Gates said the US Navy and Air Force are working together to develop a new concept of operations called Air-Sea Battle, despite acknowledging that Cold War turbulence has given way to new partnerships and cooperation in nations across Asia.
The concept of Air-Sea Battle is aimed to ensure the US military will "continue to be able to deploy, move and strike over great distances in defense of allies and vital interests."
Nevertheless, Gates also said that the United States and China are working together to build a positive, cooperative and comprehensive relationship, and that the military-to-military ties have steadily improved in recent months.
As defense minister, he has made it a priority to build military-to-military ties, and there is now an important dialogue mechanism, he said.
Gates was speaking at the 10th Asia Security Summit hosted by the London-based think tank International Institute for Strategic Studies, also known as the Shangri-La dialogue. It gathers defense ministers and senior defense officials from 27 countries and regions this year.
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