Pentagon chief reiterates importance of Asia-Pacific rebalance strategy

U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel on Monday reiterated importance of the country's rebalance strategy in Asia-Pacific region.

The Pentagon chief made the remarks at a press briefing before he convenes the first U.S.-hosted ministerial meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) this week in Hawaii. Following the meeting, Hagel will travel to the Asia-Pacific region for visits to Japan, China and Mongolia.

"This will be my fourth trip since becoming Secretary of Defense to Asia-Pacific. The meeting and the full agenda of this trip, again, underscores the importance of this rebalance," he said.

"It is to reemphasize the rebalance strategic interests of our country, to reassure our allies, to, again, make very clear of our commitment to our allies in the Asia-Pacific region," Hagel said.

"It's going to give us an opportunity to talk specifically about some of the issues that we're dealing with the Asia-Pacific, all of our partners, the security challenges, the issues that are of concern to peace, prosperity, the future of that region," he added.

The United States has looked forward to a continuation of building those relationships and those partnerships with the countries in the region, he said.