China not yet a nation we can trust - US Admiral
Published: 11:02AM Sunday April 20, 2014 Source: ONE News
Related
The US commander of the Pacific fleet says he wouldn't yet describe China as a nation we can trust.
Speaking to TV ONE's Q and A programme, Admiral Samuel Locklear had higher praise for New Zealand, who he says would make a worthy addition to the UN Security Council.
Admiral Locklear, who has been visiting New Zealand, has responsibility for an area which covers more than half of the world, from the west coast of California to the east coast of Africa, and north to south.
China has a huge influence in the region and Admiral Locklear says its emergence as the world's second biggest economy has been good for global trade in general.
But he says there are still concerns over its security responsibilities.
"I think the question for China is what leadership role they take other than in the economic realm," he says.
"I think if they make good choices and they become leaders and demonstrate to their neighbours they can be trusted and transparent then there's plenty of room for everybody to operate here in the Pacific."
However the Admiral was less positive when asked whether China could be trusted now.
"Well, I think trust is a word I wouldn't apply too broadly," he says.
"We are in the process of developing an improved bilateral relationship and trust underlies that.
"Trust requires we talk, that we work together, understand each other and there's a level of transparency. We're not there yet but we're working on it."
However, Admiral Locklear says relations with New Zealand are at a 30-year high at the moment, and he believes a Kiwi perspective would be a welcome addition to the UN Security Council.
"You have a very unique view, a very valuable view of the South Pacific and the Antarctic region which is important to the overall security environment," he says.
"I think if you extrapolate that view into the issues that the UN Security Council are dealing with, I couldn't see why New Zealand wouldn't be a great addition to that."
New Zealand is campaigning for a seat on the UN Security Council next year.
No comments:
Post a Comment