Guest commentary by Pan Heping‍

On June 4, the inter-governmental Shangri-La Dialogue concluded in Singapore. The security forum saw three days' worth of extensive debates by scholars, pundits, and senior defense officials from nearly 30 Asia-Pacific countries. 

Among the subjects was the management of fresh regional challenges and the emerging threats to global and regional security. 

Elaborating on the themes of its past iterations, the 2017 forum manifested some distinct features of its own. As the key player, the United States still merits close attention. 

US Secretary of Defense James Mattis with the defense chiefs of the ROK and Japan at Shangri-La Dialogue. /VCG Photo.

Japan to play a bigger role

At the forum, US Secretary of Defense James Mattis noted that "Japan is also contributing to the relocation of some of our US forces to Guam." The remark in effect embodies a summation of the part that the Japan Self-Defense Forces (SDF) are already playing in Asia-Pacific. It indicates that the SDF have made significant contributions to American hegemony in the region, and that America intends to keep Japan in that role. 

A case in point for such a US-Japanese symbiosis is the first major drill of two American and one Japanese carriers in the Sea of Japan immediately prior to the forum in Singapore. With the expansion of Japan's role in stabilizing American hegemony in Asia-Pacific, joint drills between the two countries are likely to grow in frequency and scale. 

Distribution pattern to firm up regarding American forces 

Mattis also pointed out that "currently 60 percent of all US Navy ships, 55 percent of Army forces, about two-thirds of the fleet Marine forces are assigned to the US Pacific Command area of responsibility. Soon, 60 percent of our overseas tactical aviation assets will also be assigned to this theater." This tells us that while concluding the adjustment of its overseas forces, America is next ready to focus on its troops deployments in Asia Pacific. 

Apparently America is emphasizing the more maneuverable naval and air forces. This explains some features of the expected new Asia-Pacific strategy of the Trump administration. According to mid-May reports in US media, the new plan would channel 7.5 billion US dollars to Asia-Pacific over the next five years to strengthen America's military presence in the region. Such heavy defense investments are clearly aimed at securing better footholds for America's naval and air forces, which will provide the anchors for the US's military presence in Asia Pacific. 

Shangri-La Hotel in Singapore, venue of Shangri-La Dialogue. /VCG Photo.

American influence set to grow in South China Sea

The US secretary of defense was emphatic that "the United States remains committed to protecting the rights, freedoms and lawful uses of the sea ... in the strategically important East and South China Seas." In effect, in continuing the Obama administration's assertions for "Freedom of Navigation", such a pledge reveals certain new intentions. 

In the current circumstances, these "new intentions" of America include: first, to make waves in the South China Sea so as to boost its bargaining position with relevant countries; second, to increase its military presence and construct an America-dominated local order; and lastly, to make the South China Sea and Southeast Asia at large into a pivot of American military presence in Asia-Pacific. 

Aimed at promoting its security concepts, the remarks of American officials at the forum provide insights regarding the contours of the Trump administration’s Asia-Pacific security policy. 

(Pan Heping is a Chinese expert in international relations. The article reflects the author's opinion, not necessarily the view of CGTN.)