The United State Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for South and Southeast Asia, Robert Scher, said here on Thursday that the U.S. is pleased to see China playing a leading role in the region and encouraged all countries in the region to have cooperation ties with China.

"We encourage all nations in the region to have a cooperation relation with China. It's a major power here in the region,"he said in a press briefing in response to a reporter's question if the U.S. is concerned about the China's influence in Asian region.

"Also, we seek to have comprehensive cooperation relation with China, and we hope and expect that other nations will as well," he added.

He said that almost by definition, China would have an influential world in Asia.

"We're happy to help China as a responsible actor in regional community," he said.

Scher said that the United States has multiple interests in secure and stable South East Asia and wishes to engage with the region.

Robert Scher arrived here on Wednesday for a two-day visit to build up U.S.-Cambodia's military cooperation.