美國防部長啟程訪亞洲

【Comment】

全新層次是什麼意思？

類似美英的關係？戰後70週年這樣講，就很有趣了。

但看美國國防部長的演講，好像他是一位經濟部長。

美防長演講稱日美合作將上升至新層次○共同社 (2015.04.07) http://tchina.kyodonews.jp/news/2015/04/95184.html

　　【共同社華盛頓4月7日電】美國國防部長阿什頓·卡特6日在亞利桑那州一所大學圍繞奧巴馬政府的重視亞洲戰略進行演講。關於規定日本自衛隊與美軍職責分工的《日美防衛合作指標》的修訂工作，卡特認為這將把日美合作“提升至全新層次”，對此寄予厚望。卡特還強調了跨太平洋夥伴關係協定（TPP）談判達成妥協的重要性。

　　這是卡特今年2月就任國防部長以來首次就重視亞洲戰略演講。卡特本月7日起訪問日韓，出行前再次展示了美國對亞太地區的重視。

　　卡特稱防衛合作指標將成為“重要的同盟基礎”，並介紹將在7日至9日訪日期間與日方就本月下旬的修訂工作推進磋商。卡特指出日美合作“將進入太空、網路空間等全新領域”，表示修訂指針將增進雙方的合作關係。

　　另一方面，卡特也強調“軍事實力源於經濟增長”。對於有望促進與同盟國、友好國關係的TPP，卡特稱“對我而言，與一艘航母同等重要”。

　　卡特還在演講中提及中國，指出美國及其他許多國家對中國軍費增加與在南海的活動表示嚴重關切。卡特稱“美中雖非同盟國，但也不必敵對”，力爭與中國構建信賴和具有建設性的關係。

Carter Discusses U.S. Rebalance to Asia-Pacific Region○DoD (2015.04.06)

By Jim Garamone
DoD News, Defense Media Activity

WASHINGTON, April 6, 2015 – U.S. re-emphasis on the Asia-Pacific region makes sense regionally and globally, Defense Secretary Ash Carter said at Arizona State University today.

The secretary spoke at the John McCain Institute in Tempe, Arizona, as the first part of a trip that takes him to Japan, South Korea and Hawaii.

The secretary’s speech aimed to push for quick passage of the Trade Promotion Authority for President Barack Obama, “so that he can ensure America gets the best deal in a historic new trade agreement with eleven other Asia-Pacific countries: the Trans-Pacific Partnership.”

Carter stressed that while the rebalance to the Asia-Pacific region has a military component, it is a whole-of-government approach.  Since World War II, the United States has underwritten security in the region. This has allowed nations like Japan, Taiwan, the Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia and China to develop and thrive.

Decades-old Alliances

America is a Pacific power and will remain one, Carter said, noting that the United States will continue to engage with nations in the Asia-Pacific region.  Carter said his stops in Japan and South Korea highlight the importance of America’s decades-old alliances with both countries.

But the United States is doing more, he added.  The newest and most capable weapons systems will go first to the region.  When movements are completed, he said, 60 percent of the U.S. fleet will be in the Pacific-Indian Ocean area.  U.S. Marines already have a rotational presence in Australia, Carter said, and U.S. and Filipino authorities are working on ways to strengthen military-to-military cooperation.

To secure its enduring interests in the Asia-Pacific region, the United States is “changing, too, with our rebalance to the Asia-Pacific,” Carter said.

The Asia-Pacific region is experiencing economic growth, and the United States must have access to those markets, the secretary said.  He noted that more than half of the Earth’s population will live in the region by 2050.  Over the next 15 years, he added, there will be rapid middle-class growth across the Asia-Pacific, to the point that it will make up “60 percent of global middle-class consumption.”

Democracies Increase in Asia-Pacific Region

The American presence has helped shape the region, said Carter, noting there’s been a fourfold increase in the number of democracies in the region.

“Following our lead, countries across the Asia-Pacific have also embraced free and open commerce, fidelity to the rule of law, and a rules-based international order,” the secretary said.

American strengths in security, economy and diplomacy “are multiplied by America’s unrivaled network of allies and partners -- nations both in the region and around the world who seek our friendship, not because of our power alone or through coercion, but because of the gravitational pull of our ideals, values, and goodwill,” Carter said.  “These ties, tended to with careful diplomacy, are what make America’s global strength so unique throughout history and today.”

The secretary said he wants to expand the reach of these alliances and for America’s allies in the Asia-Pacific region to do more together.  Carter said the United States is working with Japan and South Korea to build an information-sharing arrangement, adding that the United States is working with Australia and Japan to strengthen maritime security.

And the United States is working with India, Carter said.

“In January, we agreed to an update of our bilateral Defense Framework -- the first update in 10 years,” he said.  “It will open up new ways to expand the U.S.-India relationship, such as on maritime security, and new opportunities to cooperate on high-end technologies, for example, jet engines and aircraft carrier design.”

China’s Influence in the Asia-Pacific Region

Carter then discussed China’s influence in the Asia-Pacific.

“Some people would have you believe that China will displace America in the Asia-Pacific or that its economic growth will somehow squeeze out opportunities,” he said.  “But I reject the zero-sum thinking that China’s gain is our loss because there is another scenario in which everyone wins -- and it is a continuation of the decades of peace and stability anchored by a strong American role, in which all Asia-Pacific countries continue to rise and prosper. This is the scenario we seek in the ongoing rebalance.”

Yet, many observers are concerned about the scope of China’s military modernization efforts, China’s actions in cyberspace, and Chinese behavior in the East and South China Seas, the secretary said.

“These are concerns we raise with our Chinese counterparts on a regular basis,” he said.

Carter then turned to the Trans-Pacific Partnership.  “As secretary of defense, I never forget that our military strength ultimately rests on the foundation of our vibrant, unmatched and growing economy,” he said.  “[The Trans-Pacific Partnership] is so important because of its enormous promise for jobs and growth across our nation’s economy.  It is expected to increase U.S. exports by $125 billion in the next decade, supporting high-quality jobs.”

While good for jobs, the partnership also makes strategic sense, the secretary said.

“In terms of our rebalance in the broadest sense, passing TPP is as important to me as another aircraft carrier,” Carter said.  “TPP would deepen our alliances and partnerships abroad and underscore our lasting commitment to the Asia-Pacific. And it would help us promote a global order that reflects both our interests and our values.”

Carter: Demographics, Economics Boost Asia’s Global Profile○DoD (2015.04.03) http://www.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=128528

By Jim Garamone
DoD News, Defense Media Activity

WASHINGTON, April 3, 2015 – Demographic changes in Asia will make the region more important to the United States, Defense Secretary Ash Carter said at the State Department recently.

As Carter prepared to depart April 6 for his first trip to Asia as defense secretary, he reiterated that the United States is a Pacific power and will remain one, adding that this is in the best interests of Asian nations and of the United States.

Demographic trends show that Asian nations will only become more important globally in the 21st century, as Asian nations -- enjoying peace provided by American presence -- prosper and grow, Carter said.  In the future, he added, no region will affect U.S. prosperity more, and it is in American interests to maintain a strong security presence in the region.

The math is inescapable, Carter said at the State Department.

“We know that 95 percent of the world’s customers live beyond our borders, and the spending power of middle-class consumers in today’s emerging markets is expected to increase by $20 trillion over the next decade,” he said.

Rising Middle-class Consumption

Just five years ago, the United States and Europe accounted for around 50 percent of global middle class consumption, and Asia accounted for about 20 percent, he said.

“Five years from now, the U.S. and European share of middle-class consumption will shrink to about 30 percent, while Asia’s will rise to 40 percent,” the secretary said.  “And this trend will continue as Asia’s 570-million-strong middle class grows to about 2.7 billion consumers over the next 15 years.”

So, from an economic standpoint, Asia will become more important to American manufacturers, American jobs and American consumers.  The central premise of America’s overall Asia-Pacific strategy is the recognition that, in the 21st century, no region holds more potential for growth, development and prosperity, Carter said.

Growing Populations

Roughly 7 billion people live in the world today.  In 25 years, demographers estimate that number will grow to 9 billion, with much of the growth occurring in Asia, according to U.S. Census Bureau statistics and the CIA World Factbook.

China and India are the world’s two most populous countries and will remain so through 2050.  Today, China has around 1.355 billion people, and India has around 1.236 billion.  By 2050, officials expect India to be the most populous country in the world with 1.65 billion people, and China’s population will be 1.303 billion.

Economic progress in both countries has been building.  Today, China has about 150 million people earning between $10 and $100 per day -- the amount economists calculate as putting a person in the global middle class.  If the country continues its current growth, as many as 500 million Chinese could enter the global middle class over the next decade.  This means that by 2030, 1 billion Chinese people could be in the economic middle class.

India’s middle class is much smaller -- about 50 million people.  But economists expect India’s middle class to reach 200 million by 2020 and 475 million by 2030.

Both countries have systemic problems they need to overcome, and projections may fall short, officials said, but they added that the projections have the potential to prove accurate.

This growth is not limited to the two largest countries in Asia.  Indonesia, Vietnam and the Philippines also are posed for an incredible growth in their middle classes.

Capable Militaries

From a security standpoint, Asia is home to some of the largest and strongest militaries on the globe.  China, Russia, North Korea, India and Pakistan have large and capable militaries.  With the exception of North Korea, the U.S. military is working to improve relations with each.  American military leaders also are working with traditional allies such as South Korea, Japan, Australia, the Philippines and New Zealand to strengthen multilateral cooperation in the region.

Other nations -- Vietnam, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Burma -- also are working to preserve stability in the region.

Snapshot of Military Powers

Here’s a snapshot of the various military powers in the region:

-- China spends at least 2 percent of its gross domestic product on defense and has the world’s largest armed forces, with 2.333 million active duty forces and 2.3 million reserves. Its stated defense budget is $145 billion.  China has about 3,000 aircraft in its armed forces, has bought an aircraft carrier from Russia, and is building one of its own. The Chinese have more than 9,000 tanks and almost 5,000 armored fighting vehicles and are modernizing across all services.

-- South Korea spends 2.88 percent of its GDP on defense. The republic has 624,465 people on active duty and almost 3 million in the reserves. South Korea has 1,412 total aircraft and a naval strength of 166 ships. The South Korean military is extremely capable and has a defense budget of $33.1 billion.

-- Japan spends about 1 percent of its GDP on defense. There are 247,173 personnel in the Japanese Self-Defense Force, with about 58,000 active reserve personnel. The Japanese military has 678 tanks, 2,850 armored fighting vehicles, 1,613 aircraft and 131 ships. The defense budget is $41.6 billion.

-- India spends 2.43 percent of its GDP on defense. The nation has 1.325 million people under arms, with 2.1 million more in reserve status. India’s military has about 2,000 aircraft, two aircraft carriers, 202 ships, more than 6,400 tanks and 6,700 armored fighting vehicles. The Indian defense budget is $38 billion.

(Follow Jim Garamone on Twitter: @GaramoneDoDNews)