Pentagon opposes China's 'aggression and destabilization' in the Indo-Pacific region
The United States does not support China's desire for dominance in the Indo-Pacific region, Pentagon chief Mark Esper said during a visit to Australia.
“We firmly believe that no power can dominate the Indo-Pacific region, and we are working with our allies and partners on pressing security issues in the region,” Mr. Esper said.
He stressed that Washington opposes China's "aggressive and destabilizing" behavior, which is manifested in its high militarization and "predatory" economy.
This includes high levels of militarization, the use of “predatory” economics and debt for transactions involving sovereignty, and the promotion of government-sponsored intellectual property theft from other countries, the US Defense Secretary said.
Mr. Esper also called for the early deployment of land-based intermediate-range missiles in Asia after the United States withdrew from the INF Treaty.
