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US President Obama says Asia-Pacific is key to future | US President Obama says Asia-Pacific is key to future |
(40 minutes later) | |
US President Barack Obama has said that the Asia-Pacific region will play a key role in defining the world's future. | US President Barack Obama has said that the Asia-Pacific region will play a key role in defining the world's future. |
"The United States is a Pacific power, and we are here to stay," he stated in a speech to the Australian Parliament, sending a clear message to Beijing. | "The United States is a Pacific power, and we are here to stay," he stated in a speech to the Australian Parliament, sending a clear message to Beijing. |
His comments came after Australia agreed to host a full US Marine taskforce in the coming years. | His comments came after Australia agreed to host a full US Marine taskforce in the coming years. |
China has questioned the move, which many analysts see as being a counter to Beijing's growing influence. | China has questioned the move, which many analysts see as being a counter to Beijing's growing influence. |
Speaking in Canberra, Mr Obama said the US was now turning its attention to the region. | Speaking in Canberra, Mr Obama said the US was now turning its attention to the region. |
"Let there be no doubt: in the Asia-Pacific in the 21st century, the United States of America is all in," he said. | "Let there be no doubt: in the Asia-Pacific in the 21st century, the United States of America is all in," he said. |
Key player | Key player |
Mr Obama said that given its size, resources and the economic growth that the region had witnessed in recent years, Asia-Pacific countries were playing an increasingly important role globally. | Mr Obama said that given its size, resources and the economic growth that the region had witnessed in recent years, Asia-Pacific countries were playing an increasingly important role globally. |
"With most of the world's nuclear powers and some half of humanity, Asia will largely define whether the century ahead will be marked by conflict or co-operation, needless suffering or human progress." | "With most of the world's nuclear powers and some half of humanity, Asia will largely define whether the century ahead will be marked by conflict or co-operation, needless suffering or human progress." |
"As a Pacific nation, the United States will play a larger and long-term role in shaping this region and its future by upholding core principles and in close partnership with our allies and friends." | "As a Pacific nation, the United States will play a larger and long-term role in shaping this region and its future by upholding core principles and in close partnership with our allies and friends." |
Mr Obama continued by saying that, as the world's biggest economy, the US was keen to increase its presence in the region and play a bigger role in its development and progress. | Mr Obama continued by saying that, as the world's biggest economy, the US was keen to increase its presence in the region and play a bigger role in its development and progress. |
At the same time he told the Australian Parliament that the US was working towards getting its own economy back on track. | At the same time he told the Australian Parliament that the US was working towards getting its own economy back on track. |
He said the US had taken some hard decisions to cut its deficit and will continue to do more to ensure that growth rebounded. | He said the US had taken some hard decisions to cut its deficit and will continue to do more to ensure that growth rebounded. |
China factor
| |
Mr Obama underlined that the alliance between the US and Australia was an indispensable one and had never been stronger. | Mr Obama underlined that the alliance between the US and Australia was an indispensable one and had never been stronger. |
However, the growing proximity - especially a bigger US military presence in Australia - has not gone down well with China. | However, the growing proximity - especially a bigger US military presence in Australia - has not gone down well with China. |
The US president used his speech in Canberra to emphasise a willingness to co-operate with Beijing and improve communication between the superpowers. | The US president used his speech in Canberra to emphasise a willingness to co-operate with Beijing and improve communication between the superpowers. |
"We've seen that China can be a partner, from reducing tensions on the Korean peninsula, to preventing proliferation," he said. | "We've seen that China can be a partner, from reducing tensions on the Korean peninsula, to preventing proliferation," he said. |
"We'll seek more opportunities for co-operation with Beijing, including greater communication between our militaries, to promote understanding and avoid miscalculation." | "We'll seek more opportunities for co-operation with Beijing, including greater communication between our militaries, to promote understanding and avoid miscalculation." |
However, Mr Obama called upon the authorities in Beijing to change their policies as well. | However, Mr Obama called upon the authorities in Beijing to change their policies as well. |
"We will do this, even as [we] continue to speak candidly with Beijing about the importance of upholding international norms and respecting the universal human rights of the Chinese people," he added. | "We will do this, even as [we] continue to speak candidly with Beijing about the importance of upholding international norms and respecting the universal human rights of the Chinese people," he added. |
Seeking stability | Seeking stability |
The agreement to increase the US military presence in Australia comes at a time when nations in the region are becoming wary of China's growing military might and its domination of the Pacific waters. | The agreement to increase the US military presence in Australia comes at a time when nations in the region are becoming wary of China's growing military might and its domination of the Pacific waters. |
Australia's Prime Minister Julia Gillard said that maintaining peace and stability in the region was key to its economic growth and success. | Australia's Prime Minister Julia Gillard said that maintaining peace and stability in the region was key to its economic growth and success. |
Ms Gillard added that the partnership between Australia and the US had been a "bedrock of stability" in the region. | Ms Gillard added that the partnership between Australia and the US had been a "bedrock of stability" in the region. |
There were concerns that, as the US tries to cut its defence spending in a bid to reduce its debt, it might reduce its presence in the region. | There were concerns that, as the US tries to cut its defence spending in a bid to reduce its debt, it might reduce its presence in the region. |
However, Mr Obama tried to quell those fears, saying that he remained committed to the region. | However, Mr Obama tried to quell those fears, saying that he remained committed to the region. |
"Reductions in US defence spending will not - I repeat - will not come at the expense of the Asia-Pacific," he said. | "Reductions in US defence spending will not - I repeat - will not come at the expense of the Asia-Pacific," he said. |
"My guidance is clear - as we plan and budget for the future we will allocate the resources necessary to maintain our strong military presence in this region. | "My guidance is clear - as we plan and budget for the future we will allocate the resources necessary to maintain our strong military presence in this region. |
"We will preserve our unique ability to project power and deter threats to peace. | "We will preserve our unique ability to project power and deter threats to peace. |
"We will keep our commitments, including our treaty obligations to allies like Australia, and we will constantly strengthen our capabilities to meet the needs of the 21st century." | "We will keep our commitments, including our treaty obligations to allies like Australia, and we will constantly strengthen our capabilities to meet the needs of the 21st century." |