WASHINGTON, March 3 (Xinhua) -- U.S. policy toward the Asia- Pacific region is to ensure the country acts as a "resident power" by strengthening alliances, building new partnerships and enhancing capacity of multilateral organizations, said Assistant Secretary of State Kurt Campbell on Wednesday.

"The Asia-Pacific region is of vital and permanent importance to the United States and it is clear that countries in the region want the United States to maintain a strong and active presence. Our policy will ensure that the United States acts as a resident power and not just as a visitor, because what happens in the region has a direct effect on our security and economic well-being, " Campbell told a hearing hold by the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

According to Campbell, the most significant global challenges, such as climate change, proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and widespread poverty will become "highly acute" in Asia in the next few decades, the United States must play a leading role by strengthening and broadening our alliances, building new partnerships, and enhancing capacity of multilateral organizations.