US President Obama says Asia-Pacific is key to future
Barack Obama says Asia-Pacific is 'top US priority'
(about 2 hours later)
US President Barack Obama has said that the Asia-Pacific region will play a key role in defining the world's future.
The Asia-Pacific region is now a "top priority" of US security policy, President Barack Obama has said in a speech to the Australian parliament.
"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.
Mr Obama insisted US spending cuts would not affect the Asia-Pacific, saying the US is "here to stay".
His comments came after Australia agreed to host a full US Marine taskforce in the coming years.
His comments are seen as a challenge to China, which is striving to be the main power in the region.
China has questioned the move, which many analysts see as being a counter to Beijing's growing influence.
Mr Obama announced a plan on Wednesday to station a full US Marine task force in Australia by 2016.
Speaking in Canberra, Mr Obama said the US was now turning its attention to the region.
The measure will eventually see 2,500 US personnel based in the north of the country.
"Let there be no doubt: in the Asia-Pacific in the 21st Century, the United States of America is all in," he said.
Defining region
Key player
Chinese officials have so far remained quiet on the issue, with a Foreign Ministry spokesman suggesting that installing US Marines was not consistent with the goal of achieving a peaceful rise for the continent.
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.
China is locked in a territorial dispute with allies of the US, including the Philippines and Taiwan, over island groupings in the South China Sea.
"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."
Beijing has repeatedly insisted that it will discuss the matter only with those countries directly involved, ruling out US involvement.
Mr Obama said 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.
But analysts say an increased US presence in the area is bound to embolden its allies, and irritate Beijing.
At the same time he told the Australian parliament that the US was working towards getting its own economy back on track.
Speaking in Canberra, Mr Obama said Asia-Pacific countries would play a vital role in shaping the world in the 21st Century.
He said the US had taken some hard decisions to cut its deficit and will continue to do more to ensure that growth rebounded.
"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," he said.
The US has been slow to recover from an economic slump, and the military is one area earmarked for major spending cuts.
Mr Obama underlined that the alliance between the US and Australia was an indispensable one and had never been stronger.
With US troops leaving both Iraq and Afghanistan after long engagements, there was speculation that the Americans might also seek to play a low-key role across Asia.
However, the growing proximity - especially a bigger US military presence in Australia - has not gone down well with China.
But Mr Obama said: "As we end today's wars, I have directed my national security team to make our presence and missions in the Asia-Pacific a top priority.
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'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.
"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
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.
Ms Gillard added that the partnership between Australia and the US had been a "bedrock of stability" in the region.
"As a result, reductions in US defence spending will not - I repeat, will not - come at the expense of the Asia-Pacific."
There are 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.
He committed the US to playing a "larger and long-term role in shaping this region", before adding that he was keen to work with China.
However, Mr Obama tried to quell those fears, saying that he remained committed to the region.
"We've seen that China can be a partner, from reducing tensions on the Korean peninsula to preventing proliferation," he said.
"Reductions in US defence spending will not - I repeat - will not come at the expense of the Asia-Pacific," he said.
"We'll seek more opportunities for co-operation with Beijing, including greater communication between our militaries, to promote understanding and avoid miscalculation."
"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.
Crocodile insurance
"We will preserve our unique ability to project power and deter threats to peace.
After his speech, the president flew from Canberra to the northern city of Darwin, where many of the US military personnel are likely to be based.
"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."
In a light-hearted end to his trip, Mr Obama, the first sitting US president to visit the city, was given crocodile insurance as a gift from a local politician.
"I have to admit when we reformed healthcare in America, crocodile insurance is one thing we left out," he joked in an address to about 2,000 soldiers.
The president has now left Australia on his way to a regional summit on the Indonesian island of Bali.
Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard, who is also under pressure with domestic political issues, said the partnership between Australia and the US had been a "bedrock of stability" in the region.
Mr Obama's trip came as the two countries marked the 60th anniversary of their military alliance.
