U.S. Joins Japan in Asserting Strength to Seek China Seas Talks

The U.S. and Japan vowed to resist any attempts to seize disputed territory in Asia by force as they called for increased dialogue with China to prevent clashes in waterways vital to world trade.

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel told the Shangri-La Dialogue security forum in Singapore yesterday that the U.S. “stands firmly against any coercive attempts to alter the status quo” in seas off China’s coasts. He also sought to reassure China that moves by the U.S. to shift military resources to Asia didn’t amount to a containment policy.