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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Gentlemen, I appreciate your coming today, your testimony was very valuable, and we will be following this issue very closely over the coming months.

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.

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

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