Singapore: US Vice President Kamala Harris on Tuesday accused Beijing to continue to “force” and “intimidate” in the South China Sea and promised that Washington would pursue a free and open indo Pacific.
His comments came during a trip to Singapore and ahead of a visit to Vietnam, where US officials aimed to reaffirm Washington’s commitment to the region and overcome concerns about the disputed Chinese claims from the South China Sea.
“We know that Beijing continues to force, to intimidate and make claims to most of the South China Sea,” Harris said in a speech in Singapore.
“The claims that violate this law have been rejected by the Arbitration 2016 court decision, and Beijing’s actions continue to weaken regularity based on the rules and threaten the sovereignty of the nations,” he said, referring to the decision of the international court for Chinese claims in the Hague.
China rejected the verdict and had been established with its claim to most of the waters in what was called Nine Dash Line, which was also contested by Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam.
China has established military posts on artificial islands in waters containing gas fields and rich fishing.
The US Navy, in the performance of the power of Chinese territorial claims, regularly does what is called the “freedom of navigation” operation where their ship passes several contested islands.
China in turn objects to US mission, said they did not help promote peace or stability.
The United States has responded to China in the heart of its national security policy for years and administrative president Joe Biden has called Competition with Beijing “the biggest geopolitical test” in this century.
But a top Chinese diplomat last month accused Washington to create an “imaginary enemy” to divert attention from domestic problems and suppress China.
Harris met on Monday with Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and President Halimah Yacob during a trip aimed at strengthening relations with partners in the region as part of Washington’s efforts to grow with the increasing economic influence and security.
“Our partnership in Singapore, in Southeast Asia and throughout the Pacific Indo is a top priority for the United States,” Harris said on Tuesday, adding that the area was “very important for the security and prosperity of our country”.
Part of his duty during the trip will convince leaders in the area of ​​Washington’s commitment to Southeast Asia and not parallel with Afghanistan.
US President Biden has faced criticism for his handling of the withdrawal of troops A.S.
and screwed evacuations after takeover of lightning by the Taliban.
Harris stressed that the United States was “laser focus” on the task “safely evacuating Americans, international partners, Afghanistan who work side by side with us, and risky Afghans”.
He also said that the United States has ruled out itself to host the APEC meeting of the Asia-Pacific Trade Group in 2023, which included the United States, China and Japan.