17 April 2013 Last updated at 23:29 ET By Mariko Oi BBC News, Singapore

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USS Freedom's arrival in Singapore coincides with escalating tensions in the region

A US Navy ship has arrived in Singapore as part of US plans to increase its military presence in the region.

The USS Freedom will be stationed in South East Asia for 10 months.

It joins the US 7th Fleet, which is responsible for more than 48 million sq miles (124 million sq km) in the Pacific.

By 2020, 60% of the US Navy's assets will be deployed to the Asia-Pacific as its forces leave Iraq and Afghanistan. China views the move with concern.

"It is the much talked about 'pivot' or rebalancing of the US policy towards Asia," said Nicholas Fang, executive director of the Singapore Institute of International Affairs.

"The US wants to maintain a stable open sea trade lane which is important for global trade and the US economy but it also shows that it is committed to the stability of the region."

According to the US Navy, the US 7th Fleet's area of responsibility covers 35 maritime countries including those involved in the current crisis on the Korean peninsula such as China, and North and South Korea. The fleet's home port is in Yokosuka, Japan.

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USS Freedom arrives in Singapore