As an Aussie I'm not feeling too happy about this latest development. 
OBAMA SAID:
Mr Obama on Thursday became the fourth American leader to address a special sitting of federal parliament and used a 30-minute speech before MPs and senators to focus on human rights, security, free trade to job creation.
Mr Obama said he had made a deliberate and strategic decision for the US to play a larger and long-term role in the Asia-Pacific region, which is home to the rising economic giants of China and India.
"In this Asian century, the United States of America is all in,'' the president said.
A day after announcing with Prime Minister Julia Gillard a bolstered US Marine presence in Australia over the next five years, Mr Obama said security was an important part of greater US involvement in the region.
Cuts to US defence spending would not come at the expense of America's military presence in the Asia-Pacific.
"As we consider the future of our armed forces we have begun a review that will identify our most important strategic interests and guide our defence priorities and spending over the coming decade,'' he said.
"And here is what this region must know. As we end today's wars, I have directed my national security team to make our presence and missions in the Asia-Pacific a top priority.'
In a pitch to American citizens and businesses in the region, Mr Obama said Asia - as the world's fastest growing region representing half the global economy - was critical to ``creating jobs and opportunity for the American people''.
The president also fired a shot across the bow of Asian nations, such as Burma, over human rights abuses and said America would be looking to Australia and other allies and trading partners to uphold the core principles of freedom and democracy.
But he offered an olive branch to China, which has expressed concern over the US Marines training agreement, saying the US was interested in a cooperative relationship.
"All of our nations have a profound interest in the rise of a peaceful and prosperous China,'' he said, adding that better communication would avoid ``miscalculation''.
"We will do this even as we continue to speak candidly to Beijing about the importance of upholding international norms and respecting the universal human rights of the Chinese people,'' he said.
CHINA REPLIED:
CHINA has issued a stern warning that housing extra US troops in the Northern Territory may not be in Australia's best interests.
US marines will conduct private exercises by themselves on Australian soil for the first time under a military build-up revealed just hours after President Barack Obama landed for a whirlwind Australian visit.
The historic move increases America's involvement in the booming Asia-Pacific region as a counter to the rise of China, India and Indonesia.
Reacting to the announcement, China warned the two countries may have overstepped themselves.
"It may not be quite appropriate to intensify and expand military alliances and may not be in the interest of countries within this region," Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Weimin said.
"China believes that peaceful development and cooperation is a trend of the times and is the mainstream of the foreign policy of countries within this region, especially against the backdrop of sluggish economic growth.
"The US has repeatedly said it has no intention to constrain China, and has expressed its support of a strong, prosperous and stable China. We hope the US will fulfill its pledges."
THE DEAL:
More than a year in discussion, the surge will begin next year when 250 Marines arrive during the dry season in the Top End.
It will rise to a rotating battalion level of 1000 by 2014 before an annual six-month deployment of a full MAGTF group by 2016-17.
The troops will also conduct joint training exercises with Australian troops.
But government sources yesterday confirmed that it would also be the first time that the US would conduct exercises on their own on Australian soil.
There will also be an increased use of air bases, with a boost in US aircraft movements through RAAF Tindal, including B52 bombers, F18 combat fighters and refuellers.
The 2500-strong Marine Air Ground Taskforce (MAGTF) will be based in Darwin on a six-month annual deployment by 2016 with air bases opened to increased US airforce flights.
OBAMA SAID:
Mr Obama on Thursday became the fourth American leader to address a special sitting of federal parliament and used a 30-minute speech before MPs and senators to focus on human rights, security, free trade to job creation.
Mr Obama said he had made a deliberate and strategic decision for the US to play a larger and long-term role in the Asia-Pacific region, which is home to the rising economic giants of China and India.
"In this Asian century, the United States of America is all in,'' the president said.
A day after announcing with Prime Minister Julia Gillard a bolstered US Marine presence in Australia over the next five years, Mr Obama said security was an important part of greater US involvement in the region.
Cuts to US defence spending would not come at the expense of America's military presence in the Asia-Pacific.
"As we consider the future of our armed forces we have begun a review that will identify our most important strategic interests and guide our defence priorities and spending over the coming decade,'' he said.
"And here is what this region must know. As we end today's wars, I have directed my national security team to make our presence and missions in the Asia-Pacific a top priority.'
In a pitch to American citizens and businesses in the region, Mr Obama said Asia - as the world's fastest growing region representing half the global economy - was critical to ``creating jobs and opportunity for the American people''.
The president also fired a shot across the bow of Asian nations, such as Burma, over human rights abuses and said America would be looking to Australia and other allies and trading partners to uphold the core principles of freedom and democracy.
But he offered an olive branch to China, which has expressed concern over the US Marines training agreement, saying the US was interested in a cooperative relationship.
"All of our nations have a profound interest in the rise of a peaceful and prosperous China,'' he said, adding that better communication would avoid ``miscalculation''.
"We will do this even as we continue to speak candidly to Beijing about the importance of upholding international norms and respecting the universal human rights of the Chinese people,'' he said.
CHINA REPLIED:
CHINA has issued a stern warning that housing extra US troops in the Northern Territory may not be in Australia's best interests.
US marines will conduct private exercises by themselves on Australian soil for the first time under a military build-up revealed just hours after President Barack Obama landed for a whirlwind Australian visit.
The historic move increases America's involvement in the booming Asia-Pacific region as a counter to the rise of China, India and Indonesia.
Reacting to the announcement, China warned the two countries may have overstepped themselves.
"It may not be quite appropriate to intensify and expand military alliances and may not be in the interest of countries within this region," Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Weimin said.
"China believes that peaceful development and cooperation is a trend of the times and is the mainstream of the foreign policy of countries within this region, especially against the backdrop of sluggish economic growth.
"The US has repeatedly said it has no intention to constrain China, and has expressed its support of a strong, prosperous and stable China. We hope the US will fulfill its pledges."
THE DEAL:
More than a year in discussion, the surge will begin next year when 250 Marines arrive during the dry season in the Top End.
It will rise to a rotating battalion level of 1000 by 2014 before an annual six-month deployment of a full MAGTF group by 2016-17.
The troops will also conduct joint training exercises with Australian troops.
But government sources yesterday confirmed that it would also be the first time that the US would conduct exercises on their own on Australian soil.
There will also be an increased use of air bases, with a boost in US aircraft movements through RAAF Tindal, including B52 bombers, F18 combat fighters and refuellers.
The 2500-strong Marine Air Ground Taskforce (MAGTF) will be based in Darwin on a six-month annual deployment by 2016 with air bases opened to increased US airforce flights.
