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U.S. maintains presence in Asia-Pacific
The United States will continue its military presence in Asia-Pacific to protect its strong and enduring interests, in the wake of China's growing power
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The United States will continue its military presence in Asia-Pacific to protect its strong and enduring interests, in the wake of China's growing power.
Gen. Benjamin R. Mixon, Commanding General, U.S. Army Pacific, said Monday his country was committed to staying engaged with its "regional friends" by fostering mutually beneficial, multi-lateral cooperation in order to maintain a peaceful environment conducive for development.
"Our relationships and partnerships have been and will continue to be a centerpiece of our engagement strategy in the theater," he told participants from 30 countries attending the opening of the Pacific Armies Management Seminar held in Indonesia.
Jointly organized by the Indonesian and the U.S. armies, the one-week seminar allows for sharing of knowledge and experiences in handling situations of conflict and post-conflict during complex coalition operations. It also fosters inter-agency cooperation within particular governments conducting the operations.
Commander of the Indonesian Army Training and Doctrine Command Lt. Gen. Bambang Darmono said the seminar would help the Indonesian Army establish a more secure, peaceful and prosperous regional situation.
U.S. officials have perceived China as a threat for the country's interests.
After meeting with President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in April, Adm. Timothy J. Keating, Commander, U.S. Pacific Command, said China's growing military capability was a serious threat to the United States and the region.
Keating said the United States had to be ready for any possibilities until China clarified which direction it will take with its military power. "Until we are more certain about that, we must be ready to respond using all military options."
China's phenomenal economic growth over the past two-and-a-half decades has transformed the country into an emerging global economic and military power, and many experts have said the United States considered Indonesia its ally in balancing China's regional influence.
China's burgeoning military spending is US$45 billion per year, exceeding that of U.S. ally Japan which stands at $41.6 billion, according to a recent report.
Quoting U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, Mixon said his country's strong regional presence had enabled Asia-Pacific countries to focus on economic development, a key element for the rise of regional powerhouses, such as China, Japan and South Korea, as well as other smaller countries.
Defense Minister Juwono Sudarsono urged all countries to be mindful of pluralism (different ethnicities and religions) as a tool for fostering cooperation when tackling problems -- especially terrorism, which is one of the impending threats to regional peace.
"As a country with the world's largest Muslim population, Indonesia must be active in its efforts to fight terrorism," he said.
The United States has said it regards violent extremism as the most dangerous threat to not only its interests in Asia and the Pacific but also to Indonesia.
