US Navy Affirms Commitment to Asia-Pacific Security
- 14 years ago
The commander of the U.S. Pacific Command was in the Philippines today. Topping Admiral Robert Willard's agenda, meeting his Philippine counterpart... holding talks over China's growing presence in the South China Sea.
The commander of the U.S. Pacific Command met with his Philippine counterpart in Manila to discuss defense cooperation between the longtime allies.
Admiral Robert Willard told reporters that China's assertiveness in the South China Sea was discussed.
China has been heavily investing in modernizing its military, and turning its navy into a blue water fleet that can project power far from its shores, with nuclear submarines, and maybe one day, aircraft carriers.
"In the past 10 years in particular, their military growth, their investment in power projection capabilities, and in area denial capabilities have become concerning not just to the United States, but to the regional countries that are enveloped by all of those same military capabilities. So this is something that we believe should be discussed by counterpart militaries in the region."
Admiral Willard says the U.S. Navy continues to monitor movements and provide military assistance in the South China Sea, a vital artery for trade with some of the world's busiest shipping lanes. The sea holds valuable fishing grounds and largely untapped oil and natural gas fields.
"The overall security, the maritime security and security of the air space in these international waters - vitally important. So the role of the United States Navy will be to maintain a continued presence in the region and to continue to work together very closely with our partners in the region to ensure that the sea lines and air lines of communication remain safe."
Experts say the shadowing and jostling between the two sides could flare into a crisis… drawing in other governments around the region and rattling investors who fear discord between Beijing and Washington.
The commander of the U.S. Pacific Command met with his Philippine counterpart in Manila to discuss defense cooperation between the longtime allies.
Admiral Robert Willard told reporters that China's assertiveness in the South China Sea was discussed.
China has been heavily investing in modernizing its military, and turning its navy into a blue water fleet that can project power far from its shores, with nuclear submarines, and maybe one day, aircraft carriers.
"In the past 10 years in particular, their military growth, their investment in power projection capabilities, and in area denial capabilities have become concerning not just to the United States, but to the regional countries that are enveloped by all of those same military capabilities. So this is something that we believe should be discussed by counterpart militaries in the region."
Admiral Willard says the U.S. Navy continues to monitor movements and provide military assistance in the South China Sea, a vital artery for trade with some of the world's busiest shipping lanes. The sea holds valuable fishing grounds and largely untapped oil and natural gas fields.
"The overall security, the maritime security and security of the air space in these international waters - vitally important. So the role of the United States Navy will be to maintain a continued presence in the region and to continue to work together very closely with our partners in the region to ensure that the sea lines and air lines of communication remain safe."
Experts say the shadowing and jostling between the two sides could flare into a crisis… drawing in other governments around the region and rattling investors who fear discord between Beijing and Washington.