Singapore – Vice President Kamala Harris strongly reprimanded China on Tuesday for his intrusion into South China Sea, warning its actions there as “coercion” and “intimidation” and reaffirming that the US will support its allies in the region Beijing’s progress.
“We know that Beijing continues to coerce, intimidate and claim the vast majority of the South China Sea,” she said in a key foreign policy speech. Singapore, in which he laid out the Biden administration’s vision for the Indo-Pacific. “Beijing’s actions undermine the rules-based order and endanger the sovereignty of nations.”
Harris, who is on a weeklong swing through Southeast Asia, announced that the U.S. “stands with our partners and our allies” to face threats from China.
The speech sought to strengthen the US commitment to support its allies in an area of growing importance to the Biden administration, which has made competition China’s influence on the world stage is central to its foreign policy.
And it came during a pivotal moment for the United States, as the Biden administration seeks to further strengthen its axis toward Asia, while America’s decades-long focus on the Middle East comes to a messy end with a chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan. .
Harris underscored the change, describing the Indo-Pacific as “critical to our nation’s security and prosperity.” He said that while the US remains focused on ending its involvement in Afghanistan by evacuating as many people as possible, it is also imperative that as we address development in one region, we continue to address other areas, including this region. Continue to pursue your interests. “
His rebuke to Beijing was equivalent to his sharpest remarks ever made on the American enemy.
And China retaliated, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin called on Afghanistan in response to a question about Harris’ comments. Chaotic return from Kabuli showed that America has lost credibility. He alleged that the US “may smear, oppress, coerce and threaten other countries without paying any cost, to keep America first.”
“This is the order America wants. America always tries to use rules and order to justify its selfishness, bullying and hegemony, but who still believes it?” Wang said.
In his remarks, Harris was careful to emphasize that the U.S. does more in the Indo-Pacific to not only counter China, but to pursue an “optimistic vision” for our engagement and partnership in the region. Wants more engagement. As for Singapore’s staunch neutrality in the US-China dispute, Harris also confirmed that the US is not looking for “anyone to choose between countries”.
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Speaking in a country that serves as the anchor of the US naval presence in Southeast Asia, Harris emphasized that the region is vital to US defence. He also emphasized important US economic ties there, noting that Southeast Asia represents the fourth largest export market for the Americas.
On Monday, Harris told sailors aboard a US warship at Changi Naval Base in Singapore that “a great deal of 21st century history will be written about this region” and that their job of protecting the region was important. .
“It is in our vital interest to stand united with our allies and our allies in Southeast Asia to defend a free and open Indo-Pacific,” he said.
After his speech on Tuesday, Harris held a roundtable discussion with business leaders on supply chain issues. Later, she plans to go to Vietnam, where she will meet top officials on Wednesday.
President Joe Biden himself has repeatedly emphasized to focus his attention on China as one of America’s main adversaries.
In recent months, his administration has expanded outreach to the Indo-Pacific, with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman both visiting the region in the spring and summer. Secretary of State Antony Blinken held several virtual meetings with Southeast Asian officials earlier this month.
However, America’s chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan complicated that message of support to the region, raising questions about America’s commitment to its allies. While Biden said last week that the indefinite engagement would benefit “true strategic rivals” China and Russia, China has confiscated images of violence from the evacuation to criticize the US for its engagement there.
But Harris said during a joint news conference with Prime Minister Lee on Monday that his presence in the country, coupled with agreements for greater cooperation made by the Biden administration with Indo-Pacific countries, “speak in terms of integrity”. Many issues regarding the relationship of the United States around the world. “