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Barack Obama says Asia-Pacific is 'top US priority' | Barack Obama says Asia-Pacific is 'top US priority' |
(about 9 hours later) | |
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 Asia-Pacific region is now a "top priority" of US security policy, President Barack Obama has said in a speech to the Australian parliament. |
Mr Obama insisted US spending cuts would not affect the Asia-Pacific, saying the US is "here to stay". | Mr Obama insisted US spending cuts would not affect the Asia-Pacific, saying the US is "here to stay". |
His comments are seen as a challenge to China, which is striving to be the main power in the region. | His comments are seen as a challenge to China, which is striving to be the main power in the region. |
Mr Obama announced a plan on Wednesday to station a full US Marine task force in Australia by 2016. | Mr Obama announced a plan on Wednesday to station a full US Marine task force in Australia by 2016. |
The measure will eventually see 2,500 US personnel based in the north of the country. | The measure will eventually see 2,500 US personnel based in the north of the country. |
Defining region | Defining region |
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. | 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. |
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. | 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. |
Beijing has repeatedly insisted that it will discuss the matter only with those countries directly involved, ruling out US involvement. | Beijing has repeatedly insisted that it will discuss the matter only with those countries directly involved, ruling out US involvement. |
But analysts say an increased US presence in the area is bound to embolden its allies, and irritate Beijing. | But analysts say an increased US presence in the area is bound to embolden its allies, and irritate Beijing. |
Speaking in Canberra, Mr Obama said Asia-Pacific countries would play a vital role in shaping the world in the 21st Century. | Speaking in Canberra, Mr Obama said Asia-Pacific countries would play a vital role in shaping the world in the 21st Century. |
"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. | "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. | The US has been slow to recover from an economic slump, and the military is one area earmarked for major spending cuts. |
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. | 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. |
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. | 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. |
"As a result, reductions in US defence spending will not - I repeat, will not - come at the expense of the Asia-Pacific." | "As a result, reductions in US defence spending will not - I repeat, will not - come at the expense of the Asia-Pacific." |
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. | 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. |
"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." |
Crocodile insurance | Crocodile insurance |
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. | 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. |
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. | 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. | "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. | 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. | 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. | Mr Obama's trip came as the two countries marked the 60th anniversary of their military alliance. |
Key US bases around the Asia-Pacific |