UPDATED:  June 28, 2011 11:33 PM
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U.S. Renews Focus on Asia



Washington–Kurt M. Campbell, Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, recently stressed the country’s deep commitment to the region, as part of the U.S. “policy of re-engagement.”

Some 300 journalists, diplomats and experts on Asia came to listen to Campbell’s speech at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in the nation’s capital.

The renewed focus on Asia is further highlighted this year with the presence of President Barack Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in the region’s upcoming events.

Secretary Clinton will be in Bali, Indonesia, for the 18th ASEAN Regional Forum (July 16–23). ASEAN is the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

On November 19, President Barack Obama will attend his first East Asia Summit, and participate in the third U.S-ASEAN Summit. He will also host the annual Asian Pacific Economic Conference (APEC) Leaders Summit in Honolulu later this year.

Campbell stressed that APEC “must focus on few specific issues,” and its original intent: trade. The U.S. aims to “create the infrastructures of the institutions” in Asia that will define the 21st century as a whole. Campbell stressed the issues of health, education, climate change and disaster assistance, with an emphasis “to rapidly respond to this challenge,” citing the Japan earthquake.

Campbell also gave a country-by-country outlook on the political and military challenges in Southeast and North East Asia.

Campbell was introduced by CSIS Senior Advisor and Southeast Asia Program Director Ernie Bower at the event held on May 31. Founded in 1962, CSIS is a bipartisan, nonprofit organization based in the nation’s capital which “seeks to advance global security and prosperity by providing strategic insights and policy solutions to decision-makers.”

South China Sea

In related news, tension in the South China Sea was again on the rise last month over oil-rich Spratly Islands–which are claimed, in whole or in part, by China, Taiwan, Vietnam, Malaysia, the Philippines and Brunei. China and Vietnam claim ownership of the Paracel Islands.

Vietnam and China had a row over a recent incident between a Vietnamese survey ship and Chinese patrol boats. The Philippines expressed its concerns over reports of Chinese ships depositing building materials and buoys around Amy Douglas Bank in Spratlys. Earlier, both countries pledged to resolve the issue through dialogue.

On June 13, Sen. Jim Webb (D) and Sen. James Inhofe (R) filed a Senate resolution condemning China’s recent actions. The resolution urged continued operations by U.S. forces to defend freedom of navigation in the South China Sea. It also called for the U.S. to facilitate a multilateral process to settle the territorial disputes.

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