China says more US forces in Asia-Pacific "inappropriate"
Date: 04/06/2012      Time: 06:11:00 PM
 
China said on Monday deliberately highlighting the military and security agenda, deploying more military forces and strengthening military alliances in the Asia-Pacific region are inappropriate, state-run Xinhua News Agency reported. At an Asian security forum Shangri-La Dialogue held in Singapore, US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta reiterated the increased US involvement in the Asia-Pacific region, outlining US plans to deploy 60 percent of its navy ships in the Pacific. "Seeking peace, pursuing cooperation and promoting development are the current trends and the predominant sentiment in the Asia-Pacific region," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Weimin told a press conference in Beijing. "All parties should contribute to maintaining and promoting peace, stability and development in the region," Liu was quoted as saying. "China hopes the US plays a constructive role in the region and respects the interests and concerns of all parties in the region, including China," he said, calling on the US to work together with the countries in the region to seek common security through cooperation and build a more stable and prosperous Asia-Pacific region.