Panetta to continue predecessor's policies

Incoming US defense secretary faces challenges in Asia-Pacific

NEW YORK / BEIJING - Leon Panetta, the current director of the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and the named successor of US Defense Secretary Robert Gates, said on Thursday that he plans to follow Gate's policies including those for China if he wins Senate approval.

Panetta, 72, was recently nominated by President Barack Obama to succeed Gates, who is retiring from the post in three weeks.