(2) Secretary of Defense Speech: US Pacific Command Change of Command--As Delivered by Secretary of Defense Ash Carter, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, Wednesday, May 27, 2015. www.defense.gov/Speeches/Speech.aspx?SpeechID=1944
(from US Department of Defense)
Quote:
(a) "Today, we celebrate the careers of some of our Navy’s finest admirals – [United States Pacific Command (USPACOM) commander] Sam Locklear, his successor Harry Harris, and our new PACFLEET Commander Scott Swift. All well known to me. [US Pacific Fleet is a component of Pacific Command]
(b) "But as Sam knows so well, this region’s security is rooted in something deeper and more fundamental, which is a commitment to shared values and principles – like a commitment to the rule of law, to resolving disputes through diplomacy rather than coercion, and to maintaining freedom of navigation and overflight.
"The United States, the Department of Defense, and PACOM have always stood up for those principles, and we always will, because they’ve assured the Asia-Pacific’s peace and prosperity, for decades, was widely shared and widely supported.
"That’s why I want to be clear about our position on the South China Sea.
"First, we want a peaceful resolution of all disputes, and an immediate and lasting halt to land reclamation by any claimant. We also oppose any further militarization of disputed features.
"Second – and there should be no mistake, should be no mistake about this – the United States will fly, sail, and operate wherever international law allows, as we do all around the world.
"Finally, with its actions in the South China Sea, China is out of step with both international norms that underscore the Asia-Pacific’s security architecture, and the regional consensus in favor of a non-coercive approach to this and other long-standing disputes.
"China’s actions are bringing countries in the region together in new ways. And they’re increasing demand for American engagement in the Asia-Pacific, and we’re going to meet it. We will remain the principal security power in the Asia-Pacific for decades to come.
My comment: That is all there is. There is no need to read the rest of the text.