HONG KONG - Commander of US Seventh Fleet Scott Van Buskirk said on Monday that they don't consider China as a "direct threat", and there remains close navy-to-navy relationship with nations around the Asia-Pacific that their commitment to the region has never been stronger.

Buskirk said in a forum held in Hong Kong that China and its growing maritime power are things they spend a great deal of time to thing about, but they don't consider China to be a direct threat.

The US has a broad, deep and complex relationship with China, and much of that relationship is positive. "To look at China through lens of an adversary would be counterproductive," he said.

Buskirk said following the US Defense Secretary Robert Gate's visit to Beijing, their senior civilian and military leadership have engaged with their respective counterparts in China to reestablish military-to-military contacts. Although the engagement remains at the senior leadership level, he is hopeful to have similar interaction at the tactical level as well.

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"We view such interaction as very important to ensuring that encounters at sea  which are occurring more frequently as China' s navy grows  remain void of any misunderstanding or confusion that could inadvertently lead to incident or crisis."

Buskirk said they sincerely hope China continue to develop a blue-water navy -- one may soon include an aircraft carrier. "It will employ that navy in a way that is responsible and constructive."

He said China's participation in anti-piracy missions in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean was an example of how the PLA Navy can contribute to issues of common international concern in a positive way.

As to many questioning that the US presence in the region is shrinking due to its sluggish economy and continued military engagement in Afghanistan and therefore weakened their commitment to Asia, Buskirk said as the US Seventh Fleet commander, he felt the commitment to the region has never been stronger.

"The 7th fleet has actually increased its capabilities in several significant ways, he said, "At the same time, we have enhanced our maritime partnerships with navies around the region, enabling us to work together cooperatively more than ever before."

Seventh Fleet command ship USS Blue Ridge arrived in Hong Kong on Saturday for the ship's port visit lasting about five days. Sailors will enjoy the hospitality of residents of the international city while also contributing in community service events.