Obama tells Asia, U.S. "here to stay"
China has questioned the new U.S. deployment, with a foreign ministry spokesman raising doubts about whether strengthening such alliances helped the region pull together at a time of economic gloom.
But overall its official reaction has been restrained, with an impending leadership succession preoccupying the ruling Communist Party and leaving Beijing anxious to avoid diplomatic fireworks.
Reaction from some state media was harsher, with a commentary from the official news agency Xinhua on Thursday saying that: "Every country in the region...has good reason to question the United States' ambition."
"In fact, it wouldn't come as a surprise if the United States is trying to seek hegemony in the region, which would be in line with its aspirations as a global superpower," said Xinhua.
Indonesia, Southeast Asia's largest country and long wary of any expanded foreign military presence in the region, also warned that Australia deal came with risks.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/11/17/us-obama-asia-idUSTRE7AF32X20111117
(Reuters) - President Barack Obama said on Thursday that the U.S. military would expand its role in the Asia-Pacific region despite budget cuts, declaring America was "here to stay" as a Pacific power which would help shape the region's future.
China, which has longstanding fears that its growing power could be hobbled by U.S. influence, voiced misgivings about Obama's announcement of a de facto military base in Australia.
Obama acknowledged China's unease at what it sees as attempts by Washington to encircle it, pledging to seek greater cooperation with Beijing.
CHINA QUESTIONS U.S. DEPLOYMENT TO AUSTRALIAChina, which has longstanding fears that its growing power could be hobbled by U.S. influence, voiced misgivings about Obama's announcement of a de facto military base in Australia.
Obama acknowledged China's unease at what it sees as attempts by Washington to encircle it, pledging to seek greater cooperation with Beijing.
China has questioned the new U.S. deployment, with a foreign ministry spokesman raising doubts about whether strengthening such alliances helped the region pull together at a time of economic gloom.
But overall its official reaction has been restrained, with an impending leadership succession preoccupying the ruling Communist Party and leaving Beijing anxious to avoid diplomatic fireworks.
Reaction from some state media was harsher, with a commentary from the official news agency Xinhua on Thursday saying that: "Every country in the region...has good reason to question the United States' ambition."
"In fact, it wouldn't come as a surprise if the United States is trying to seek hegemony in the region, which would be in line with its aspirations as a global superpower," said Xinhua.
Indonesia, Southeast Asia's largest country and long wary of any expanded foreign military presence in the region, also warned that Australia deal came with risks.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/11/17/us-obama-asia-idUSTRE7AF32X20111117
