One of United States President Barack Obama’s key advisers in the White

One of United States President Barack Obama’s key advisers in the White House has been sworn in to lead America’s renewed focus on the Asia-Pacific.

Daniel R Russel has taken on the role of the US State Department’s assistant secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs.

“The well-being and future of the United States is imminently connected to the peaceful development of the Asia-Pacific region, as you pointed out,” Mr Russel told US Secretary of State John Kerry at Tuesday’s swearing in ceremony in Washington DC.

“Four and a half years ago, President Obama deliberately decided to make engagement in the region a strategic priority for the United States of America, and I’m proud to have a continuing role in developing the Asia rebalancing strategy.”

As the US pulls troops out of the Middle East and Afghanistan, it is deliberately focusing on the Asia-Pacific where China is growing in dominance.

Mr Russel served at the White House as special assistant to the president and national security staff senior director for Asian affairs.

During his tenure there, he helped formulate President Obama’s strategic rebalance to the Asia-Pacific Region.

“Now I know that beyond our borders there will always be people who wonder about America’s intentions (in the Asia-Pacific) and our staying power,” Mr Russel said.

“They want to know if they can continue to rely on the United States to provide the security, the intellectual capital, the technology, the dynamism and the creativity that has underpinned the stability and has driven the extraordinary growth of East Asia over the past seven decades.

“The answer is ‘yes’.”

Source AAP