US, China both face cyber security threats: Pentagon chief (2)

Some of the U.S. military forces coming down from Iraq and Afghanistan are also being moved to the region.

While reassuring U.S. allies of its "pivot to Asia," Hagel also said the United States recognizes that the emerging countries in the region have a huge stake in the regional peace and security.

He said that the presidents of both the United States and China have been clear that the two countries want a closer military-to- military relationship, and that the dialogue between the armed forces of the two countries is steadily improving.

"I've noted in my comments we don't wanna miscalculations and misunderstandings and misinterpretations. The only way you do that is you talk to each other," he said.

The 12th Asia Security Summit, or Shangri-La Dialogue, is multilateral platform for non-official dialogues involving defense ministers and military officials from countries in and beyond the Asia Pacific region.

This year, the European presence included Catherine Ashton, high representative of the EU for foreign affairs and security policies. The Chinese delegation is led by Qi Jianguo, deputy chief of general staff of the People's Liberation Army.