US President Barack Obama yesterday said that the US military would expand its role in the Asia-Pacific region despite budget cuts, declaring the US was “here to stay” as a Pacific power that would help shape the region’s future.
China voiced misgivings about Obama’s announcement of a de facto military base in Australia and has longstanding fears that its growing power could be hobbled by US influence.
Obama acknowledged China’s unease at what it sees as attempts by Washington to encircle it, pledging to seek greater cooperation with Beijing.
The US military, turning its focus away from Iraq and Afghanistan, would be more broadly distributed in Asia, particularly Southeast Asia, more flexible and help build regional capacity, he told the Australian parliament.
“As we end today’s wars, I have directed my national security team to make our presence and missions in the Asia Pacific a top priority,” Obama said in a major speech on Washington’s vision for the Asia-Pacific region.
“As a result, reductions in US defense spending will not — I repeat, will not — come at the expense of the Asia-Pacific,” the US president said.
“We’ll seek more opportunities for cooperation with Beijing, including greater communication between our militaries to promote understanding and avoid miscalculation,” he added.
Nervous about China’s growing clout, US allies such as Japan and South Korea have sought assurances from the US that it would be a strong counterweight in the region.
A first step in extending the US military reach into Southeast Asia will see US Marines, naval ships and aircraft deployed to northern Australia from next year.
That deployment to Australia, which by 2016 will reach a task force of 2,500 US troops, is small compared with the 28,000 troops stationed in South Korea and 50,000 in Japan.
However, the new de facto US base in Australia expands the direct US military presence in Asia, beyond South Korea and Japan and into Southeast Asia, an area where China has growing economic and strategic interests.
It will also put more US troops, ships and aircraft much closer to the South China Sea over which Beijing has sovereignty disputes with several countries.
China has questioned the new US deployment, raising doubts whether strengthening such alliances helped the region pull together at a time of economic gloom.
Chinese newspapers yesterday ran reactions ranging from restrained to stern. One said Beijing need not worry, but another accused Washington of stirring regional trouble.
Indonesia also warned that the Australia deal came with risks.
“What I would hate to see is if such developments were to provoke a reaction and counterreaction precisely to create a vicious circle of tension and mistrust or distrust,” Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa told reporters.
Obama said the increased focus on the Asia-Pacific region was essential for the US’ economic future.
“As the world’s fastest-growing region — and home to more than half the global economy — the Asia Pacific is critical to achieving my highest priority: creating jobs and opportunity for the American people,” he said.
Obama also pressed for more reform in Myanmar and warned North Korea would pay a heavy price for the proliferation of nuclear or other materials to states or individuals.
“The transfer of nuclear materials or material by North Korea to states or non-state entities would be considered a grave threat to the United States and our allies,” Obama said.
“We would hold North Korea fully accountable for the consequences of such action,” he said.
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