Thuy Vu:
US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta continued his trip to Southeast Asia in Vietnam. He went to Cam Ranh Bay, and if you studied your history books, you may remember that it was a major US naval base during the Vietnam War. And many US officials still consider it to be a jewel of a deep water port. Now here's a report from Chinese broadcaster CCTV.

Reporter:
Panetta arrived in the capital a day after making a historic visit to Cam Ranh Bay, becoming the most senior US official to return there since the end of the Vietnam War in 1975. The bay served as America's largest air and naval hub during the war. Panetta's visit makes clear Washington's intent to help its allies in the Asia-Pacific region, develop and enforce maritime rights in the South China Sea.

Leon Panetta, US Defense Secretary:
The goal of the United States, let me make clear, is to advance exactly what the general referred to--advance the independence and the sovereignty of all nations in this region.

Reporter:
At the same time, Panetta detailed plans to boost US military presence in the region, including a modest increase in ships and more troops that will mainly rotate in and out. Defense officials have said that by 2020, the US navy would add about eight ships to the Asia-Pacific region and would have about 60 percent of the fleet assigned there.

Leon Panetta, US Defense Secretary:
It's in the interest of stability to have a strong Vietnam, a strong Indonesia, a strong Philippines, a strong Singapore, and strong nations throughout the Asia-Pacific region.

Reporter:
Panetta's next stop is India, the largest weapon-importing country. Weapon sales are believed by many military experts to be a major issue during the talks between the two sides. Panetta visited Indonesia, Japan and South Korea at the end of last year. He denied the questioning that his two Asia visits are challenging China. But analysts say that it is making the regional situation more complicated.

Thuy Vu:
Panettas next stop on his week-long Asian trip was India. He offered what he called "the best possible defense technology." But Indian analysts say it's unlikely that there can be a strong military partnership between the two countries. They say India has a strong tradition of staying away in battles between superpowers and won't be drawn into an American-led effort to contain China.