BANGKOK » The head of U.S. Asia-Pacific military operations says Washington is re-engaging with the region but will not intervene in any of its conflicts.

U.S. Pacific Command chief Adm. Samuel Locklear III said today during a visit to Thailand that the U.S. is looking into building longer-term relationships with India and China, as America’s primary interests lie with Asia-Pacific countries.

He said the U.S. will remain neutral in the maritime conflict in East China Sea between China and Japan, as well as those in the South China Sea pitting China against other nations, since it is Washington’s policy not to take sides in any territorial disputes.

Locklear also visited China, the Philippines, Bangladesh and India in his first visit to the region since assuming the Pacific command in March.