Connect to share and comment

China warns US over new Asia-Pacific military strategy

China's state news agency, Xinhua, warned the US against "flexing its muscles" in the Asia-Pacific region, under a new US military strategy announced by President Obama.

obama new military strategy 01 05 12Enlarge
US Army soldiers salute during the daily flag lowering ceremony as they prepare to fly home to Fort Hood, Texas after being one of the last American combat units to exit from Iraq. US President Barack Obama on Jan. 5, 2012, announced at the Pentagon that the US military will become "leaner" and switch to a new strategy focused on the Asia-Pacific region. (Joe Raedle/AFP/Getty Images)

China has warned the United States over its new military strategy, which includes a shift in focus to the Asia-Pacific region.

The plan for a new, "leaner" military was unveiled Thursday by President Barack Obama at the Pentagon. 

Xinhua, the Chinese government's news agency, cautioned the US military against acting "like a bull in a china shop," but said the new strategy could help China by creating a "peaceful environment" in the region.

The Xinhua editorial warned the US against "flexing its muscles":


More from GlobalPost: Obama, at Pentagon, unveils new military strategy (VIDEO)

Obama on Thursday announced a plan that will include about $450 billion in cuts to the military over the next decade, The New York Times reported.

Obama said that while the US military is in a "moment of transition" after a decade of war in Iraq and Afghanistan, the United States will "maintain our military superiority."

The Xinhua editorial also warned the US against heavy-handed "militarism":

If the United States indiscreetly applies militarism in the region, it will be like a bull in a china shop, and endanger peace instead of enhancing regional stability.

Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said Thursday that the sizes of the US Army and Marine Corps will be reduced, but Special Forces troops will increase in size, USA Today reported.

The review of the nation’s military budget was announced last year by former defense secretary Robert Gates.

More from GlobalPost: Military budget cuts: Defense Secretary Panetta to introduce revamped defense strategy