US will keep operating in Pacific despite war threat – US Defense chief

The United States military will continue operatimg in the Asia-Pacific region despite China's warning of an "inevitable war" unless the US backs down in the maritime dispute in the South China Sea, US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter said Thursday. 

 

"They're increasing demand for American engagement in the Asia Pacific. We're going to meet it. We will remain the principal security power in the Asia Pacific for decades to come," Carter said during the change-of-command ceremonies at the US Pacific Command in Honolulu, Hawaii. 

 

"The US will fly, sail, and operate wherever international law allows," he stressed. 

 

A state-owned newspaper in China earlier said that "war is inevitable" between China and the US over the South China Sea, part of which Manila calls the West Philippine Sea, unless Washington stops demanding that Beijing halt building artificial islands in the disputed waterway.

 

The statement came after the US government sent the USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), which has been described as one of its most lethal "supercarriers,” to replace the USS George Washington (CVN 73) as the US Navy’s forward deployed aircraft carrier in the US Seventh Fleet.

The Seventh Fleet's area of responsibility includes the Western Pacific Region, which covers the West Philippine Sea.

 

"We want a peaceful resolution of all disputes, and an immediate and lasting halt to land reclamation by any claimant. We also oppose any further militarization of disputed features," Carter said. 

 

US Navy Admiral Harry Harris Jr. will replace outgoing Navy Admiral Samuel Locklear III as USPACOM commander. 

 

Also present at the change-of-command ceremonies was Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, who was also scheduled to discuss defense and security issues with Carter. — Kathrina Alvarez/JDS, GMA News