Hagel Visits Asia to Highlight Pivot

First trip to region as Sec Def

 Washington remains committed to bolstering its military footprint in Asia despite severe defense budget cuts, Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel said Friday as he made his first visit to the region as Pentagon chief.

"We have been undertaking more new bilateral initiatives with partners than we ever have," Hagel told reporters en route to this city-state, which is hosting an annual security conference known as the Shangri-la dialogue, named for the luxury resort that has hosted the event since 2002.