US questions China intentions, amid defence budget hike
March 06, 2014 01:54
The US Pacific commander voiced concern today over China's intentions as the Asian power announced its latest double-digit hike in defense spending.
Several lawmakers questioned Adm Samuel Locklear about US ability to contend with a rising China and sustain a "pivot" to Asia amid growing pressure on the US defense budget.
China has announced a 12.2 per cent increase in military spending to USD 132 billion, likely a considerable underestimate of actual spending, but still far less than the $600.4 billion the US spent last year.
Locklear noted China's spending increase, and added that the 12.2 per cent rise is "just what we can see."
He told the House Armed Services Committee that there has been a slow and steady growth in the US-China military relationship, and that the US wants China to provide a positive contribution to regional security. But he said China's recent activities were calling into question how it will proceed.
"What's frustrating is what's happening in their own backyard as it relates to their relations with some of our allies," Locklear said, citing China's "ambiguous" territorial claims in the South China Sea and its declaration of an air defense information zone over the East China Sea, in an encompassing airspace above Japanese-controlled islands also claimed by China. "This all complicates the security environment and makes us wonder," Locklear said.
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