Ben Cardin

The security element and the security underpinning of our Asia-Pacific strategy in our rebalance is hugely important.

China was downgraded in the State Department's Trafficking in Persons Report from a Tier 2 Watch List to the lowest rung, Tier 3.

A country that could help us achieve change in North Korea is China. I was very impressed by my meetings with the Chinese as to how sincere I believe they are in trying to have a change in direction in North Korea as it relates to nuclear…

We have the opportunity to make those advancements as we have their attention at the bargaining table.

The one-party, Communist-ruled country violates the basic human rights of its citizens.

I particularly want to acknowledge Senator McCain, on this day, where, as you might have seen, the Russian courts held Mr. Magnitsky guilty of certain crimes; whereas, the international community knows full well that Mr. Magnitsky was the…

I think it has been extremely helpful in understanding the challenges of our policies in this region.

Do you both agree with the assessment that was given by the last panel that the transfer of the wartime military command in the Republic of Korea to Korea from the United States--that there is not a risk factor looking at what is happening…

I fully agree with that. As we deal with security issues in countries, we should be always promoting good governance values.

We should not be apologetic about that

I do not think personally we can go to IMET or E-IMET with a country like Burma, or Myanmar, right now.

We have to be consistent

I would just caution. There are cyber criminals that you point out are trying to steal--cyber theft.

I would appreciate it if you could also just tell us how sincere you believe the Chinese would be.

The fortunes of the United States and our people are inextricably tied to the Asia-Pacific region.

This is our second hearing on the Rebalance to Asia policy.

Clearly, intellectual property and cyber are security issues. There is no question about it.

I actually believe the region would be more stable and more peaceful if the United States has the capability and the commitment to live up to its security obligations.

The United States has long been a Pacific power and I think it is critical that we continue to strengthen our existing alliances with Australia, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and we help these partners also strengthen their relationships to…

This hearing will deal with the defense and security challenges in the East Asia-Pacific region.

It is reasonable for us to insist upon mechanisms to improve good governance as the price of admission for a military-to-military operation.

We need to, at the Presidential level and the Congress, make it clear to Beijing that that bipartisan consensus in American foreign policy continues

It is very clear that this administration is committed to the rebalance in Asia, meaning a stronger U.S. presence in that region on security issues.

It seems to me that that region is going to be looking at that conference to judge the sincerity of the United States rebalancing strategy as far as security issues in Asia.

I think it should be priority, and I appreciate your saying that.