US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel on Monday reiterated the importance of the country's rebalancing strategy in the Asia-Pacific region.

The Pentagon chief made the remarks at a press briefing before he convenes the first US-hosted ministerial meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) this week in Hawaii.

Following the meeting, Hagel will travel to the Asia-Pacific region for visits to Japan, China and Mongolia. 

"This will be my fourth trip since becoming secretary of defense to Asia-Pacific. The meeting and the full agenda of this trip, again, underscores the importance of this rebalance," he said.

The US has looked forward to a continuation of building those relationships and those partnerships with the countries in the Asia-Pacific region, he said.

Xinhua