Defence secretary reassures Beijing US military plans are no threat

Published on 20/09/2012 00:00

Senior Chinese leaders have a better understanding of the United States’ new focus on the Asia-Pacific region, but they are concerned there is too much emphasis on China’s military build-up rather than economic or diplomatic efforts, US defence secretary Leon Panetta said in Beijing yesterday.

After two days of meetings with officials, Mr Panetta said he was hopeful the two nations could work together to bolster security in the region.

While it appears Mr Panetta is not leaving China with tangible agreements, he believed he had assured his hosts that US plans to add troops, ships and a new missile defence site in the region were not meant to threaten China.

“The key for them is that as we develop and strengthen our presence here, that we do it in conjunction with developing a strong US-China relationship,” he said after he met China’s future leader, vice-president Xi Jinping. “That gave me a lot of hope that they understand exactly what our whole intention is here.”

LOLITA BALDOR