US, Asia deepen security ties amid China challenge

When U.S. President Barack Obama arrives in Australia on Wednesday to kick off a four-day Asia-Pacific visit, he should receive a warm reception from America's longtime allies in the region.

The U.S. has deepened military ties with Asia in the past year, at once reassuring its partners of its commitment and capitalizing on mutual fears about China's rise. Both sides face a simple truth: They need each other, possibly more than ever.

In Australia, Obama is expected to announce an agreement to allow an expanded U.S. military presence in the country. Earlier this year, the U.S. disclosed plans to deploy military ships to Singapore. And Malaysia has joined two multination military exercises with the U.S. for the first time.

Such moves, together with frequent visits by senior American officials — Obama will be the first president to join an annual East Asian leaders meeting later this week — have defused fears that America's defense presence might wane. They also show the region's growing concern about China's more aggressive stance in recent years.

“China is becoming an 800-pound gorilla,” said Ralph Cossa, president of Pacific Forum CSIS, a Hawaii-based think tank. “The U.S. is still the 1,600-pound gorilla, so which one would you rather have? And we're housebroken; we're a lot more fun to invite into your living room than the one who isn't.”

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