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Panetta announces new strategy with Asia "Deliberate emphasis on military and security agendas, andstrengthening military deployment and alliances are not in stepwith the times," he said. Obama announced the shift to a Pacific focus during a tour of Asiancountries in November. The announcement came against a backdrop of reduced defensespending as the United States was dealing with economic issues athome, preparing to pull out of Iraq and contemplating the end ofwarfare in Afghanistan. Panetta visits former U.S. base in Vietnam "As we end today's wars, I have directed my national security teamto make our presence and missions in the Asia Pacific a toppriority," Obama said in a November 17 speech in Australia. "As aresult, reductions in U.S. defense spending will not -- I repeat,will not -- come at the expense of the Asia Pacific." At the time, Obama announced plans for the United States to stationup to 2,500 Marines in Australia in the coming years. Panetta is on an eight-day trip through the region explaining theU.S. policy, and seeking to increase military ties with regionalallies. He said the shift is not a threat to China and its growingmilitary power. "I reject that view entirely," Panetta said. "Indeed, increasedU.S. involvement in this region will benefit China." He also rejected arguments that helping U.S. allies in the regionmilitarily is an invitation to greater tensions. "I don't think we should take the attitude that just because weimprove their capabilities that we are asking for more trouble," hesaid. Panetta said the United States will work to improve communicationwith China with an aim to "build trust" between the two nations,and he emphasized diplomatic approaches to promoting open commerceand freedom of the seas. A key issue in the region is the conflict between China and variousregional nations -- such as the Philippines, Vietnam, Brunei,Malaysia and Taiwan -- over the South China Sea. The area, nicknamed "the second Persian Gulf" because of itspotential for massive oil and gas reserves, is also a keypassageway for the world's oil and is home to enormously valuablefisheries. A crisis in the area has the potential for major economic damage tothe United States as well. As one of the busiest sea lanes in theworld, disputes in the South China Sea could have a major impact onshipping by forcing costly rerouting. According to estimates by the Center for Strategic andInternational Studies, $5.3 trillion worth of trade goods passthrough the South China Sea each year; U.S. trade goods account for$1.2 trillion. CNN's Liz Neisloss contributed to this report. The e-commerce company in China offers quality products such as SKF Bearings Manufacturer , Cylindrical Roller Bearing , and more. For more , please visit Deep Groove Ball Bearing today!
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