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US seeks to expand military presence in Asia, says Def Secy Robert Gates | US Defence Secretary Robert Gates has said that America wants to bolster its military presence across Asia, adding that closer ties with Australia would help the US expand its role in South East Asia. On his way to Australia
for annual security talks, Gates said that Washington would focus on fighting
piracy, improving counter-terrorism, disaster aid and cyber-security. According
to the BBC, he further stated that the US had no plans for more bases in the region,
and also expressed hopes for increased co-operation on issues such as missile
defence and "space surveillance". "We're looking at a number of different options,"
he said. Stressing that the US move was not to contain China, which is engaged
in various territorial disputes in the region, Gates added: "This isn't about
China at all. It is more about our relationships with the rest of Asia than it
is about China." Concerns have intensified around the region since China published
maps earlier this year claiming the entire South China Sea as part of its territory.
Meanwhile, Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard said that everyone hoped China
could play a larger role in regional co-operation. "I believe we have a shared
perspective with the United States that we want China to be a force for good,
strongly engaged in global and regional architecture, strongly engaged in a rules-based
framework," the paper quoted Gillard, as saying. However there is controversy
in Australia on the idea of sharing bases, which could mean more US soldiers present
in the country, the report said.
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