April 14, 2011 12:54:50 am
Expressing concern over the increasing military might of China in the Asia Pacific region,a top Pentagon commander and several senators have favoured the demand for more counter-balancing US efforts in the region.
As China was exerting its influence last year in a very assertive way,we were receiving appeals across the Asia-Pacific with regard to a desire for more US influence in the region, Admiral Robert Willard,Commander,US Pacific Command said.
Senator Carl Levin,Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee said it is important to anticipate consequences of this Chinese growth on regional dynamic.
As Chinas influence and military grow,traditional alliances and partnerships in the region may come under pressure from a perception that the balance of power is shifting,and certain countries in the region may find it necessary to grow their militaries as well, Levin said.
Best of Express Premium
Senator John McCain expressed concern over Chinas development of aerial weapons,stealth aircraft,ballistic missiles,offensive cyber-weapons and an aircraft carrier.
Admiral Willard said,Last year we witnessed Chinese assertiveness demonstrated in South China Sea and in Senkaku Islands. That was a declaration by the Chinese regarding their sovereign claims over the areas, he said. There has been a retrenchment,a bit,by Chinese navy,while we continue to experience their shadowing of some of our ships in these water, Willard said. We have not seen the same level of assertiveness in 2011 that we witnessed in 2010, he said.
- The Indian Express website has been rated GREEN for its credibility and trustworthiness by Newsguard, a global service that rates news sources for their journalistic standards.
