Defense Ministers Meet In Asia

PRESS PHOTO - U.S. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates, left, and Chinese Defense Minister Gen. Liang Guanglie shake hands as they pose for the press in Hanoi, Vietnam, Oct. 11, 2010. DOD photo by U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Jerry Morrison

U.S. and China Soften Tone Over Disputed Seas -- New York Times

HANOI, Vietnam — The United States and China sought to defuse tensions over disputed territorial seas on Tuesday, with Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates urging nations to honor historic rights of free transit through international waters and his Chinese counterpart saying the region has nothing to fear from Beijing’s armed forces.

The statement by Mr. Gates to a forum of Asian defense ministers was emphatic in calling on all countries that share the South China Sea to renounce threats or coercion in resolving their competing claims of sovereignty.

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More News On Tensions In Asia

Tensions Ease in Asia, U.S. Says -- Wall Street Journal
U.S. sees crisis fears easing over South China Sea -- Reuters
Asian military ties warm at Hanoi defence meeting -- BBC News
Defense Ministers Arrive for Meeting in Vietnam -- New York Times
First ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting-Plus Opens In Vietnam -- RTT News
China to enhance co-op with ASEAN+8 in humanitarian aid, disaster relief -- Xinhuanet
Gates Raises Concerns About China's Territorial Disputes With Asian Neighbors -- Radio Free Europe
U.S. Aims to Mend China Military Ties -- Wall Street Journal
U.S. Defense chief meets with Chinese counterpart -- L.A. Times
Asian Security Meeting to Test China, U.S. Approach on Disputes -- Bloomberg
Gates: U.S. hails steps for maritime 'code of conduct' -- CNN
Gates: U.S. has 'national interest' in Asian sea disputes -- Washington Post
The start of something big? -- The Economist