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Hagel Discusses Regional Security With Asia-Pacific Counterparts


U.S. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel (C) poses with Japan's Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera (L) and South Korean Defense Minister Kim Kwan-jin (R) before their trilateral meeting on the sidelines of the International Institute for Strategic Studies Sha
U.S. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel (C) poses with Japan's Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera (L) and South Korean Defense Minister Kim Kwan-jin (R) before their trilateral meeting on the sidelines of the International Institute for Strategic Studies Sha
U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel is in Singapore discussing security issues with his counterparts from the Asia-Pacific region.

In a key speech Saturday at the annual security forum known as the Shangri-La Dialogue, Hagel warned China about cyber intrusions, saying some of them appear to be linked to the Chinese government and military. He said cyber attacks represent a security threat to every country, including China.

On the sidelines of the meeting, Hagel met with Japanese Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera and South Korea's Kim Kwan Jin. The three said afterwards that they would cooperate on curbing North Korea's nuclear development.

After more than a year of hardline rhetoric, a missile launch and a nuclear test, North Korea reportedly told Chinese President Xi Jinping last month that it is open to dialogue on the nuclear issue.

China is one of the parties in stalled six-nation talks on North Korea's nuclear disarmament. The United States, Japan, South Korea and Russia also participate in the negotiations.

Addressing Chinese concerns about U.S. engagement in Asia, Hagel said Washington supports a strong and emerging China that takes responsibility for the security of the region. He said the United States wants to work with Beijing to iron out differences through respectful dialogue.

Chinese President Xi Jinping will meet later this month with U.S. President Barack Obama in California. Their talks are expected to include a cyberspace code of conduct.
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