we are the only guarantor to provide some sort of a credible umbrella under which these other countries in the region can successfully grow their economies without intimidation

They believe they have economic issues that are at risk because of the imbalance.

I would say the jury is probably out, but the data points seem to be there.

I think it was a great hearing.

No other topic brings into light the enormous and complex challenges facing the United States in Asia.

China's evolution has changed the regional economic balance, has enabled China to expand its political influence.

This military buildup on Guam is viewed as permanently anchoring the U.S. in the region, and cementing our resident power status.

what we're after here is the proper communications in the region and maintaining the kind of balance.

One of the main points in the communique was concern about peace and stability in the region.

I appreciate the observation that both of you made several times that the United States does not take sides in issues of sovereignty for many, many reasons.

At the pinnacle of this issue is China's growing military, diplomatic, and economic power.

We tend to take these incidents as isolated incidents, and we resolve the incident, and then we dismiss it, and we say things are fine.

The situation in the region, as it respects the current Chinese claims is to the effect that almost all of the South China Sea is in some way claimed by China.

What you have is a clear example of incrementalism, which has not been properly responded to.

This is not a hearing that is designed to bash China; it's a hearing that is designed to raise issues that aren't being discussed.

We are a resident--a territorial--we have territory in the western Pacific, and we are a resident power.

we have a serious vulnerability in our relationship with China that feeds a lot of the anxieties on these other issues

I would say that--frankly, I think there's a great concern in the Vietnam Government about this.