미, 2조4천억 들여 '태평양억지구상'…대중국 견제 세진다<br /><br />The U.S. Congress has decided to inject billions of dollars into a Pacific Deterrence Initiative, in an apparent show of strength against China.<br />Meanwhile, Japan is set to hold joint military drills with the U.S. and France for the first time next year,... as Chinese military steps up activity in the region.<br />Choi Min-jung reports.<br />Under the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act,… U.S. House and Senate lawmakers have agreed to tee up 2-point-2 billion US dollars in an effort to initiate a Pacific Deterrence Initiative.<br />The Washington Post on Sunday said the new program is a move to strengthen military capability in the Indo-Pacific region,… mainly against growing Chinese military power.<br />According to a House official on Thursday, the aim of the program is to maintain an edge over China by "modernizing and strengthening U.S. posture and capability in the Indo-Pacific region".<br />Lawmakers also said the new initiative will increase the number of U.S. troops as well as weapons in the region, and strengthen ties with Western Pacific allies.<br />As the partial funding of 2-point-2 billion dollars is allocated for the fiscal year 2021, watchers say the success of the initiative would heavily rely on President-elect Joe Biden and his incoming administration.<br />Meanwhile, Japan, France and the U.S. have also joined efforts to counter China.<br />According to Sankei newspaper on Sunday, the three nations are set to hold their first joint military drills on land and sea.<br />The drills are a show of force against China,… which claims ownership of disputed Japanese-controlled islands in the East China Sea.<br />The joint forces will also focus on defense against any potential attack.<br />The military exercise is set to take place in an area surrounding an uninhabited island in Japan in May 2021.<br />Choi Min-jung, Arirang News.<br />
