By AMY COOPES
SYDNEY, NEW SOUTH WALES — The United States’ top naval commander in Asia described military relations with China as “collegial” on Tuesday and rejected Cold War comparisons, urging “methodical and thoughtful” diplomacy in the region.
Vice Admiral Scott Swift, commander of the Japan-based US 7th Fleet and in Sydney for bilateral exercises, said maritime security was an increasingly important issue in the Indo-Pacific region as both trade and militarization boomed.
“Economic power is being converted to military power in many parts of the region, which may increase the temptation to use coercion or force in an attempt to resolve differences between nations,” he said in a speech to the Lowy Institute foreign policy think tank.
“The rising of the seas and the opening of the (Arctic’s) Northern Passage will bring new security challenges that must be dealt with as well,” he added, speaking of global warming’s impact in the region.
Swift said he was “very encouraged by the pace” of military connections in the region amid escalating tensions over issues including the South China Sea.
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