Panetta Warns Of Conflict With China

U.S. Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta opens the plenary session of the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, with remarks on how the Department of Defense will implement a new strategy in Asia, June 2, 2012. DOD photo by Erin A. Kirk-Cuomo

Lost In Shangri-La: Panetta Warns Of Conflict With China In Singapore Speech -- Washington Free Beacon

Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said on Saturday that he expects conflict and disputes with China as the United States bolsters forces in the Pacific.

Outlining the U.S. shift to Asia from the Middle East, Panetta said the Pentagon is seeking to cooperate with China and does not intend to counter China’s rise.

“So that’s what we’re intent on doing here with China, is to build that kind of relationship recognizing that we’re going to have disputes, recognizing that we’re going to have conflicts, but also recognizing that it is in the interest of both China and the United States to resolve these issues in a peaceful way,” Panetta said during a speech to the annual Shangri-La Dialogue meeting of defense ministers and military officials.

“That’s the only key to advancing their prosperity and to advancing our prosperity,” he said.

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WNU Editor: US Secretary of Defense Panetta's speech is here.