WASHINGTON – The head of the U.S. military’s Pacific command called Chinaa disruptive power in the Indo-Pacific region on Thursday and urgedcountries in the area to build capabilities and work together to ensurefree and open seas.
Admiral Harry Harris, known for his combative views on Beijing’s SouthChina Sea expansion, was speaking at a security conference sponsored by theIndian government, where he was joined by the chief of staff, joint staffof Japan and the head of the Indian navy.
The three countries – the United States, Japan and India – have grownincreasingly concerned about China’s assertive military posture in theregion and sought to draw closer, with Australia, in a “quad” of liberaldemocracies.
“I believe the reality is that China is a disruptive transitional force inthe Indo-Pacific, they are owner of the ‘trust deficit’ that we all havespent the last hour talking about,” Harris said referring to thediscussions of the panel.
The United States has criticized China’s construction of islands andbuild-up of military facilities in the South China Sea, saying they couldbe used to restrict free nautical movement.
China says there is no issue with freedom of navigation in the South ChinaSea and opposes efforts to use it as an “excuse” to infringe on China’ssovereignty and security interests.
Harris said China’s actions had cause disquiet in countries stretching fromthe Philippines to Malaysia and Vietnam. He said it was time countries tookfirmer measures to ensure maritime stability.
“We must be willing to take the tough decisions to ensure the Indo-Pacificregion and the Indian Ocean remain free, open and prosperous,” he said.”This requires like-minded nations to develop capacities, leverage eachother’s capabilities.”
Harris had earlier proposed joint patrols with the Indian navy in theIndian Ocean. New Delhi, worried about a backlash from China, said no suchactions were planned.
But India has begun holding trilateral naval exercises with the U.S. andJapan that military experts say could eventually include Australia as well.