US Defense Secretary: China ‘Far and Away’ Most Aggressive Nation in Asia

US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter stated that Beijing’s activities in the South China Sea have made it the most belligerent nation in Asia requiring increased US involvement in the region.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — Beijing’s activities in the South China Sea have made it the most belligerent nation in Asia requiring increased US involvement in the region, Defense Secretary Ashton Carter stated on Tuesday.

"By far and away over the past year China has been the most aggressive" nation in the region, Carter told an audience at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. "We are reacting as part of the rebalance unilaterally."

Carter explained that the US armed forces were stepping up their military presence in the Asia-Pacific region as part of President Barack Obama’s "Pivot to Asia" or "rebalancing" strategy.

"We are being asked to do so much more… I'll be working with other countries that want to do more with the United States, and we are committed to that. We will do that," Carter added.

Asia Pacific is the single region of most consequence for United States and "absolutely essential" for Washington to remain committed to maintaining peace and security there, Carter concluded.