with respect to the south china sea, it has been our position that although we do not take any stand on the rights attached to any territorial claim, we strongly support a peaceful resolution of such in accordance with international law. that has been the position we have taken at the east asia summit because it's not only about the south china sea which is, as you know so well, a very important part of the world's oceans through which more than 40% of the world's trade passes. but it's also about how we resolve disputes concerning territories in or near bodies of water, whether it's the arctic or the south china sea. so it's very important we stand for the rule of law. and we stand for the peaceful resolution of any disputes and we made that known to our friends in the region as well as to china. >> thank you, madam secretary. thank you, madam chair. >> thank you. and madam secretary, lacking other members, mr. berman and i agreed to share our five minutes with you if that will be all right. >> i thank you very much. >> i'm going to ask about the keystone pipeline. so start the cloc

the region is seen as an attempt to counter efforts by china to expand its influence over the south china sea. the bay is close to islands claimed by the philippines and china among other countries. so china is expected to strongly object to a rotational presence there. >> a senior official in thailand has connected this week's blast in bangkok with similar incidents in india and georgia that targeted israeli diplomats. the three explosions in the thai capital wounded five people including an iranian assailant. thailand's police chief confirmed on thursday that the men responsible were plotting attacks in the country. >> translator: as i've said before, their target was an individual israeli diplomat. not involving the thai people. >> he also confirmed that the type of explosive was a homemade sticky bomb the same as those used in india and georgia. israel has accused iran for being responsible for all three incidents. teheran has denied involvement. there was concern the tension between iran and israel over iran's nuclear program is now being felt as far away as southeast asia. two iranian s

support the philippines with sales of military hardware to secure freedom of navigation in the south china sea. the u.s. is reportedly planning to base more ships in the philippines to increase its influence over the asia-pacific region and keep china in check. >>> pakistan's president has told iran that his country is committed to pushing ahead with a gas pipeline between the two countries, despite opposition from the united states. nhk world's hideki reports from islamabad. >> reporter: president asif ali zardari met with visiting iranian vice president. to help counter serious energy shortage and surging demand for power. the iranian vice president said iran has already laid pipes on its side of the border. he expressed the hope that construction would start on the pakistani side soon. the united states is pressuring pakistan to give up iranian natural gas imports. it's part of the obama administration's strategy of trying to isolate iran, which it accuses of seeking nuclear weapons. but zardari's comments indicate that pakistan intends to step up energy cooperation with iran. observers say

support the philippines with sales of military hardware to secure freedom of navigation in the south china sea. the u.s. is reportedly planning to base warships in the philippines to increase its influence over the asia pacific region and keep china in check. >>> pakistan's president has told iran that his country is committed to pushing ahead with a gas pipeline between the two countries, despite opposition from the united states. nhk world reports from islamabad. >> reporter: president asif ali zardari met in islamabad on tuesday. he said the gas pipeline should be implemented swiftly. pakistan needs iranian gas to help counter serious energy shortage and surging demand for power. the iranian vice president said iran already led pipes on its side of the border. he expressed a hope that construction would start on the pakistani side. the united states is pressuring pakistan to give up iranian natural gas in ports. it is part of the obama administration's strategy of trying to isolate iran, which it accuses of seeking nuclear weapons. but the comments indicate pakistan intends to step up energ

east of china, to the north we'll be seeing snow, but from the shanghai region south, it will be turning over to rain. mostly dry in indochina. we've got a new system here in the south china sea, just going to be pushing toward the west and bringing showers in towards parts of southern vietnam. then for the philippines, once again heavier rain, and it has been ongoing in parts of mindanao the last several days. that means an intense risk of landslides and also for flooding to occur. 25 degrees in taipei. a warm day here, just six forecast for your high on wednesday. three meanwhile, in seoul. as we head into north america, we have a pacific system bringing coastal rain and also mountain snow. this low is going to be descending to the south. bringing the rain to southern california, and snow to the mountains of utah, maybe even be 20 centimeters is possible here. then across the lower midwest, another area of rain, particularly to the south, that's going to be accompanied by thunderstorms which could turn severe, but later on in the day, for this precipitation, further toward the north, maybe a mix of sleet and slush rather than any real snow here, but it is going to be gettin

>> oh, there's always the possibility of that because china, for instance, claims the entire south china seaese lake. if there's been any consistent foreign policy in the u.s. for over two centuries it's to defend freedom of navigation. this is a zero sum issue for us. >> i would argue the last year and a half the u.s. has reasserted its interest in the pacific and this announcement in australia of the marine presence there was part of i thought a very skillful coordinated diplomatic act by the obama administration to say we're still there and the balance of power with china will remain. >> i think obama came into power thinking that he could deal with the chinese. he would have a new approach to the chinese, and they would actually develop a partnership of some kind across ideological boundaries. he proved wrong. they thought he was weak. they took advantage, and what we've seen over the last year with secretary of state clinton and with biden this last few days is a reassertion of american determination, that it is going to have its allies protected in the south china seas and southeast as

showers develop over the course of today and down toward tropical depression hovering over the south china sea and scattered showers will continue in southern vietnam and it will stay largely wet across the philippines but heavy rain will ease today. temperaturewise we're looking at 30 degrees in manila and 3 in bangkok with a chance of thunder showers and up toward the north, warming up to 7 in seoul and 11 in tokyo. heading to the americas, a pacific storm will be moving into british columbia and the pacific northwest and that will bring coastal rain, mountain snow and strong winds. we have another system to watch out for in the central plains. northern minnesota and southern parts of manitoba and ontario may be seeing more than 20 centimeters of snow in the next 24 hours. and then, the southern -- the central portions of the plains will have a risk of severe weather that includes severe thunderstorms, large hail, damaging winds and even isolated tornadoes. over the next 24 hours, much of the great lakes and the mid western states will start to see a wintry mix. but the southern half of the

buying more fighter planes in reaction to china's military buildup and territorial disputes in the south china sea. lockheed martin's f-35 stealth fighter is still under development but that plane, too, is on show. u.s. military leaders shifted military resources toward the asia pacific. they're urging countries in the region to introduce the jet. >>> china's defense minister says he hopes china and japan can cooperate on more defense exchanges. a groupf officers met in beijing from japan's self-defense force. the delegation of ten japanese officers is visiting china over the next week. they want to increase the number of exchanges with china this year. 2012 marks the 40th anniversary of the normalization of ties between the countries. there are various issues the two need to work on to strengthen their relationship. but he said problems will be solved gradually by buiing up mutual trust. relations became strained after an incident two years ago in the east china sea. a chinese fishing boat collided with japanese control vessels near the disputed senkaku islands. >>> board members at japan's centr

china will see showers develop over the course of today. down towards the south, we've got a tropical depression over the south china sea so scattered showers will continue in southern vietnam. as for the philippines, scattered thunderstorms will continue across the whole of the nation but heavy rain in luzon is starting to diminish here. now temperaturewise, we're expecting 30 degrees in manila and 33 in bangkok with a chance of thundershowers. and up towards the north, getting up to 7 degrees in seoul and 11 in tokyo. moving on to the european countries, a chain of low pressure systems has been bringing wet and windy weather to northern europe. gusts exceeded 90 kilometers per hour. as those systems push on to the southeast, areas like finland, the baltic states and northern germany will start to see a wintry mix. down towards the south, unstable conditions will the mediterranean. southern italy will see heavy showers on tuesday. and temperaturewise, many areas are getting back to normal, but this is causing another serious problem. this is from the danube river in serbia. the thick ice which had closed the europe's busiest waterway durin

states is responding to china also with increased military presence united states says that the south china sea is an area of national interests to the united states and of course that doesn't make any sense it's like china saying the gulf of mexico is an area of national interest to china so i think these types of. militaristic statements. encourage china to build up its military and so the americans to sensibly maybe trying to start another arms race. and you can log onto our website any time you like the latest news and videos that said r.t. dot com has some of what's a just a click away gary is now a six nation to store progress international corporate protection agreement or act sponsored by washington find out why governments can turn on web restrictions. and the rebirth of a legend at russia's iconic kalashnikov rifle may be given them only will discharge as a veteran weapon makes way for a new model. turkey has no plans to consider alternative oil supplies and will continue to import fuel from iran and the spike the countries in nato membership thank you officials have firmly disapprove

there's trade and investment, north korea, pakistan, burma, the south china sea. they all have to be factored into these discussions. if you take them one at a time, they're likely to use them against you. it sounds good during a presidential campaign and you can get applause when you say you're going to war with china but the real world is much different. >> thank you the much for coming in. now to an even trickier relationship than that with china and that is between the u.s. and iran. in recent weeks, tensions have escalated and tehran has threatened to close the strategic strait of hormuz in retaliation for tighter western sanctions. today, the american aircraft carrier, the uss abraham lincoln sale through the narrow waters shelves by -- trailed by iranian boats. >> they're preparing to pass through a potentially dangerous waters, the straits of hormuz. this is a show of force. they are here to send a clear message of who really controls these waters. >> as it approaches the narrowest point to 21 miles wide, the coast is in sight. iran recently threatened to

towards southeast asia, a tropical depression over the south china sea. bringing on and off showers in vietnam and strong winds as well. as for the philippines, it is largely wet and thundershowers develop. today's highs still looking like this. getting up to 17 degrees in taipei. seoul, 5 degrees, 9 degrees in tokyo with plenty of sunshine. moving to the americas. a new pacific storm moving to british columbia and pacific northwest, bringing coastal rain and mountains on monday. then we have an active low pressure system sitting over the central rockies as it moves eastward. snow will change over to a wintry mix monday. and that will impact the central plains. we also have thundershowers and also mountain snow in the southeastern corner of the u.s. that will move out to sea monday. temperatures are looking like this. we're expecting 14 degrees in atlanta, 9 degrees in washington, d.c. and across the great lakes region, temperatures are on the warmer side. 7 degrees expected in chicago, and 4 degrees in toronto. out to the west, 8 degrees in seattle, with

there is trade, investment, north korea, pakistan, burma, the south china sea. those of the aspects of shared values, human rights. if you take them one at a time, they're likely to use them against you. it sounds good in a presidential debate when you say you're going to go to a war with china but the real world is much different. >> and much more complicated. to one relationship to another that is more difficult and that of course is the relationship between the u.s. and iran. tehran has threatened to close the strait of hormuz in retaliation for tighter western sections. today, the uss abraham lincoln sailed through those narrow waters shadowed by iranian patrol boats. >> this is the most potent symbol of america's military might, the uss abraham lincoln loaded with warplanes and now preparing to pass through a potentially dangerous waters, the straits of hormuz. this is a show of force. they are here to send a clear message of who really controls these waters. >> as it approaches the narrowest point to 21 miles wide, the coast is in sight. iran recently thre

malaysian state owned oil company have discovered two major gas deposits in the south china sea. it made the finds last september and november. the first well was discovered after drilling to a depth of 3,200 meters. they say it contains about five trillion cubic feet of gas. the other well was found about 17 kilometers away at a depth of 3,800 meters. indications are that it contains about 450 billion cubic feet of gas. the company plans to conduct drilling 30 more wells in 2012. >>> people across thailand celebrated valentine's day. the day of love on tuesday. a large number of couples flocked to a district office in bangkok to register their marriages. for the first time the office hosted a traditional wedding ceremony. a northern city held a mass wedding for 14 couples. the ceremony was followed by a parade and the newlyweds. the prime minister called on all thais to love their compatriots not only on the day of love, but every day. >> we have weather up next. >> hi and welcome back. here in asia winter pattern looks like it's going to be on its baby thursday. as for wednesda

china's military presence is growing while territorial disputes in the south china sea remain unresolved. that's encouraging regional powers to purchase new military aircraft and upgrade existing fleets. the indian air force is reportedly planning to buy 126 fighter jets from a french manufacturer. indonesia has announced an order for fighter jets from russia and large helicopters from europe. uniformed officers wander the venue exchanging information with sales people. >> the economy's good. i think for us it's important to update or modernize the equipment. as you probably know indonesia has not been doing that for over 20 years. >> reporter: this is the aircraft japan recently decided to adopt as its next generation mainstay fighter jet. the f-30 built by lock heed martin. after declaring the asia pacific region as the focus of its defense strategy, the u.s. is pressing regional allies to introduce the fighter. sales people are eager to seize the opportunity. >> the asian market is an area of potential growth and additional sales for the f-35. virtually all the nations who today fly f

in the south china sea. and vetoed the u.n. resolution against syria last week. today, xi faced human rights protesters at the white house. and criticism from president obama about human rights and unfair trade practices. >> with expanding power and prosperity also comes increased responsibilities. and so we want to work with china to make sure that everybody is working by the same rules of the road when it comes to the world economic system. >> reporter: u.s. officials are sizing xi up. his background provides some clues. xi's father, one of china's original revolutionaries was purged by mao and jailed for being too pro reform. xi himself was exiled for seven years to a work camp during the cultural revolution. his daughter attends harvard. his nephew is at georgetown. and in 1985, xi went to iowa to learn how to raise hogs. >> he slept in the kids' rooms with "star wars" on the wall. he sat around our dining room table. we just gave him an iowa welcome. >> reporter: xi is said to like world war ii movies like "saving private ryan." and in china last summer, joe

indeed, tensions in the south china sea have rarely been higher. at the same time, the number and sophistication of cyber attacks on american targets by chinese actors likely with chinese government involvement in my cases is growing increasingly severe and damaging. indeed, last year's report from the office of the national counterintelligence executive makes clear, quote, chinese actors are the world's most active and persistent perpetrators of economic espionage." p in afghanistan the taliban insurgery is damaged but not broken and regrettably their will to stay in the foegs in the international coalition in our afghan partners has been increased by the administration's repeated public commitments to certain dates for withdrawing down our military forces regardless of conditions on the ground. meanwhile, pakistan remains as fragile and combustible as ever, and as our witnesses' statements make clear, pakistan's intelligence service continues to support terrorist elements inside afghanistan that are attacking and killing americans. in iraq the fr

is responding to china also with increased military presence the united states says that the south china sea is an area of national interest to the united states therefore said it doesn't make any sense it's like china saying the gulf of mexico is an area of national interest to china so i think these types of. militaristic statements. encourage china to build up its military and so the americans a sensibly maybe trying to start another arms race. and you can log on to our website artie dot com for the latest news and videos any time you like it's just some of what's just a click away how could be a devastating blow to the world's second largest stock exchange as they take out its web site with an online knockout of. how close mark the world has come to another novel style disaster reveal fresh claims over a fire on board a russian nuclear sub find out more how to dot com.

particularly naval activities and security activities not only in the indian ocean but what why call the south china sea, we have seen naval maneuvers between india and vietnam and we have seen increased chinese may hae l -- chinese naval activity into the area. what to you think of that? >> it has interests that match ours in many ways, particularly in the as we have looked at our defense dialog, at looking at maritime security and looking for the cooperation in humanitarian relief and in looking at piracey the dialog that we have through the defense policy group, through the indian ocean rim conferences, with india playing a growing role in that, i think it will assist us in making a policy that will make sure that we can protect those sea lanes and we will have a peaceful area there >> thank you, mr. chairman. >> ambassador the ongoing friction between india and pakistan is a strategic concern for the u.s. and for the region. do you believe that there may be a more on pro active role for the united states to play which could help ease tensions between the countries. for instance, the national laborat

states is responding to china also with increased military presence united states says that the south china sea is an area of national interests to the united states and course that doesn't make any sense it's like china saying the gulf of mexico is an area of national interest to china so i think these types of. militaristic statements. encourage china to build up its military and so the americans sensibly may be trying to start another arms race. but european hopes of a last minute chinese financial rescue are fading fast after top e.u. officials visiting china fell to convince the asian giant to commit any of its vast cast reserves to help stabilize you're up by saying as especially wary of the situation in greece the cancellation of a meeting with a eurozone finance minister kathy even more doubt on the prospects for a future bailout our correspondent jacob graves has more. it's showing just how far reaching this crisis in greece nor so the euro zone now it in terms of achievement for very least so you had quite a high ranking delegation heading there was headed up by the president of the e

is responding to china also with increased military presence the united states says that the south china sea is an area of national interests to the united states and of course that doesn't make any sense it's like china saying the gulf of mexico is an area of national interest to china so i think these types of. militaristic statements that encourage china to build up its military and so the americans essentially may be trying to start another arms race. well look now at some other stories making headlines across the world first to a disaster and i'm doris at least two hundred seventy two prisoners have been killed by a fire which swept through a jail on tuesday night they were either burnt or suffocated to death some inmates managed to escape by breaking through the roof and jumping out of the building an electrical fault is thought to have caused the fire. nato has admitted its recent airstrike in afghanistan killed eight civilians the attack happened a week ago in a village northeast of kabul and has outraged afghan officials because in the wake of the latest u.n. report indicating that

responding to china are also with increased military presence the united states says that the south china sea is an area of national interests to the united states their course it doesn't make any sense it's like china saying the gulf of mexico is an area of national interest to china so i think these types of. militaristic statements. encourage china to build up its military and so the americans to sensibly maybe trying to start another arms race. and there you can log on to our website artie dot com for latest knees and videos any time you like it's just some of what's just a click away how could deal with devastating blow to the world's second largest stock exchange was a take out its web site with an online knockout. close miking the world has come to another novel style disaster reveal a fresh claims over while on board a russian nuclear sub find out more r.t. dot com. turkey has no plans to consider alternative oil suppliers will continue to import fuel from iran and despite the country's nato membership officials are firmly disapproved of calls for a strike against iran reluctant to go

is responding to china also with increased military presence the united states says that the south china sea is an area of national interest to the united states there of course that doesn't make any sense it's like china saying the gulf of mexico is an area of national interest to china so the united states is asserting that chinese territory wars are in a matter of national interest to washington so i think these types of. militaristic statements. encourage china to build up its military and so the americans to sensibly may be trying to start another arms race. well there you can of course log on to our website at r.t. dot com today to sneeze and videos any time you like and some it was just a click away deal a devastating blow to the world's second largest stock exchange to take out its website. and close minded world of come to another chernobyl style disaster reveal fresh claims ever filed on the russian nuclear sub more r.t. dot com. turkey has no plans to consider alternative oil supplies will continue to import fuel from iran despite the countries in nato membership officials have fi

states is responding to china also with increased military presence united states says that the south china sea is an area of national interest to the united states their course it doesn't make any sense it's like china saying the gulf of mexico is an area of national interest to china so the united states is asserted that chinese territorial wars or a matter of national interest to washington so i think these types of. militaristic statements. encourage china to build up its military and so the americans essentially may be trying to start another arms race russia central city channels have come under criticism for an alleged pro piece of bias ahead of next month's presidential election a group of acts of as standing for thad actions as reports of the current prime minister and presidential candidate letting a person out see positive which undermines other candidates his chances elsie's diacritical their lives at how election hopefuls are making good use of their time . oh right now here live here day so far the most eccentric video in russia's presidential campaign urging to vote for the count

is responding to china also with increased military presence the united states says that the south china sea is an area of national interest to the united states their course that doesn't make any sense it's like china saying the gulf of mexico is an area of national interest to china so the united states is asserting that chinese territorial wars aren't a matter of national interest to washington so i think these types of. militaristic statements. encourage china to build up its military and so the americans to sensibly maybe trying to start another arms race. well you can log onto our website anytime you buy for the latest news and videos that's our t.v. dot com here's a look at what's just a click away for you right now bug area is now in the six nations to stall progress of the international copyright protection agreement or act sponsored by washington find out why more and more governments are choosing to take or you turn on restrictions. and the rebirth of a legend russia's iconic kalashnikov rifle may be given an honorable discharge the veteran weapon makes way for any newer model. tu

i know you recently gave a speech talking about the south china sea and activities there. could you just talk in a broad general way about what this actually means for the united states to put more of an emphasis on the specific in the pacific? are we talking about containment of china? how does china relate to this whole thing? and what roles are we trying to fulfill? >> well, i think, senator, we have always considered ourselves so blessed by geography that we were both in atlantic and pacific power. and that unique position has granted the united states significant strategic advantages that have been accompanied by economic benefits and so much else. but because of our heavy emphasis starting on 9/11, and going after those who attacked us, also, you know, the war in iraq, the broader emphasis on the middle east, there were many in asia who thought that we were either by intention or by default abandoning our leadership role in the pacific. and it was our intent to re-establish that leadership role, which we have done. we have initiated new strategic dialogues in the reg

states is responding to china also with increased military presence united states says that the south china sea is an area of national interests to the united states and of course that doesn't make any sense it's like china saying the gulf of mexico is an area of national interest to china so i think these types of. militaristic statements. encourage china to build up its military and so the americans essentially may be trying to start another arms race and of course we cannot look on to our web sites had autonomy like the latest news and yes that's all dot com has that's not what's just a click away how could a deal a devastating blow to the well second law to stop books to take out its website with online knock outs. and their veba over the edge and russia's iconic national coffee rifle may be given an honorable discharge as a better weapon thinks one thing a new model. turkey has no plans to consider alternative oil supplies and will continue to import fuel from iran despite the country's nato membership and officials have firmly disapproved of calls for a strike against tehran reluctant to

states is responding to china also with increased military presence united states says that the south china sea is an area of national interests to the united states their course that doesn't make any sense it's like china saying the gulf of mexico is an area of national interest to china so the united states is asserted that chinese territorial waters are in any matter of national interest to washington so i think these types of. militaristic statements. encourage china to build up its military and so the americans essentially may be drawing to start another arms race. some say the noose may be tightening around iran for more on this we speak with brian becker a member of the antiwar answer coalition interview up next. thank you for joining us on r.t. thank you but does the united states want from tightening the sanctions i mean. even beyond tightening the sanctions now indeed it is the united states government has created an artificial crisis that's first and foremost it's a manufactured crisis iran is complying with the i.a.e.a. iran does not have a nuclear weapon iran is not threaten its ne

states is responding to china also with increased military presence united states says that the south china sea is an area of national interests to the united states and of course that doesn't make any sense it's like china saying the gulf of mexico is an area of national interest to china so i think these types of. militaristic statements. in current.

is responding to china are also with increased military presence united states says that the south china sea is an area of national interest to the united states there of course that doesn't make any sense it's like china saying the gulf of mexico is an area of national interest to china so the united states is asserted that chinese territorial wars are a matter of national interest to washington so i think these types of. militaristic statements that encourage china to build up its military and so the americans a sensibly maybe a trying to start another arms race as international pressure on iran mounts for us as though the true has us says the probability of a western strike against the islamic republic as being high concerns of pending military action group author blame tehran for two but not times on its diplomatic stuff on monday and today's blossom bangkok on a has been holding developments around. the chief of staff of the russian armed forces said on tuesday that he thinks a plan for a western attack on iran could be in place by the summer of this year and he's basing that statement

interference is cellcept in the south china sea military station the starting in norse in australia but maybe in contacts with surely penes singapore in thailand specially very close allies of us here in southeast asia so the chinese they look at this and they see encircled washington's treatment of this or that country depends on its interests there is nothing surprising about that but it seems with all you know america may find itself hostage to those interests in a situation where you cannot simply dictate its policies in the meantime beijing's economic clout is growing feeling americans fear i'm going to check our reporting on loss of our. in libya the interim government has promised to compensate the families of rebel fighters missing or killed in the uprising against moammar gadhafi they'll receive around one thousand five hundred dollars each and unemployed former rebels will be paid to its part of the authorities a struggle to impose order as the country celebrates a year since the revolution began hundreds of armed militias are roaming the country and the ruling national transi

is responding to china are also with increased military presence united states says that the south china sea is an area of national interest to the united states.

s growing security presence in the south china sea. of these issues will likely still be on the agenda later this year when xi is expected to take office as the next president of china. chinese officials say that washington and beijing suffer from a trust deficit. they hope that xi's visit will help bridge the divide. during xi's trip, both sides are getting a fresh view of their partner and a chance to reset the tone of an ever-evolving affa affair. >> after 30 years maybe i'm finally learning to shut up and give her some space for a few minutes. it's important to learn to count to ten and to think things through and to pick the battles that are worth it. >> reporter: not such a bad idea for any couple celebrating 30 years of marriage. and xi is going to be taking over china at a very important time, a time of enormous change. and this is going to be when a country is moving from year after year of nearly guaranteed vast economic growth to a slower sustainable economy with a growing rich/poor divide. nina? >> now, eunice you've been f