Biden, ending a two-day , said the US presence there has allowed Asia-Pacific nations to focus on growing their economies."I state without apology that we are a Pacific power.
America is a Pacific resident power and we will remain so," President Barack Obama's number two told sailors of the US Navy's littoral combat ship USS Freedom.
"The truth of the matter is our resident power status is the reason why this area of the world is able to grow and be stable," he said.
"Our mere presence in the Pacific is in and of itself the basis upon which stability of the region is built. You are the glue that holds all this together."
The USS Freedom is a modern vessel designed to fight close to shore in areas typical of Southeast Asia's maritime geographical features.
Deployed to Singapore and the surrounding region, the ship is seen as a symbol of Washington's strategic re-balance of its military presence towards Asia following long wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.
US Vice President Joe Biden is in Singapore Friday for talks that are expected to focus on trade ties with Asia and regional maritime disputes.
Biden is due to meet President Tony Tan Keng Yam, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and his father, influential former leader Lee Kuan Yew.
He is also scheduled to meet Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who is visiting the city-state on a trip to South-East Asia.
On Saturday, Biden is to visit the USS Freedom, which is currently docked at the Changi Naval Base. The US Navy ship arrived in Singapore in April for a 10-month deployment in South-East Asia, as part of Washington's plans to increase its military presence in the region.
Singapore and the United States are already close partners in trade and security but could increase their cooperation further as part of the US 'pivot' towards Asia, Biden told The Straits Times.
"We see a huge opportunity to strengthen our relationships in Singapore ... as part of our rebalancing strategy," he said.
The White House said Biden "will emphasize the centrality of South-East Asia in our regional strategy."
The talks are also expected to focus on efforts to manage maritime disputes in the South China Sea. China claims ownership of most of the sea - including potentially resource-rich areas - although Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan also claim territory.
Biden arrived in Singapore late on Thursday, following a visit to India. He will leave for Hawaii on Saturday.
Read more: http://voiceofrussia.com/news/2013_07_27/US-will-remain-a-Pacific-power-Biden-in-Singapore-3704/
Read more: http://voiceofrussia.com/news/2013_07_27/US-will-remain-a-Pacific-power-Biden-in-Singapore-3704/
