Pompeo cites LAC tension, says tide turning on China
WASHINGTON:American efforts to lead an “international awakening” against the Chinese government is working and the “tide is turning”, US secretary of state Michael Pompeo said on Thursday, citing India’s ban on Chinaorigin mobile apps, closer interactions of the Quad countries and actions by several other nations that have been seen as aimed at Beijing.
Testifying at a US senate hearing on the 2021 budget for the state department, Pompeo also said he is not yet certain about the shape or form of the “new grouping of like-minded nations — an alliance of democracies” that he recently mooted to confront the global threat from China in a major policy speech.
The reference was to his remarks last week at a California library named after former President Richard Nixon, whose 1972 visit led to the thaw in US-China relations. Pompeo had then called for a global compact arguing US policy of “blind engagement” with China had failed.
The top US diplomat was pressed repeatedly by Republican as well as Democratic senators on China, more than on any other foreign issue, reflecting the urgency among American policy makers on ties with Beijing.
Calling the Chinese Communist Party — US officials insist on treating the Chinese government as an entity separate from the people — “the central threat of our times” as he has before, Pomread peo told senators that the “incursion” against India and the “realestate claim” against Bhutan and other conflicts around the world were indicative of Chinese intentions to expand their reach and to bring “socialism with Chinese characteristics” to the world.
“Our vigorous diplomacy has helped lead an international awakening to the threat of the CCP,” he said, adding, “Senators, the tide is turning.”
The secretary of state listed some of the global developments he said were the result of the American lead on international awakening against China: the growing ostracism of Chinese firms from the rollout of 5G networks, increasing rejection of Chinese claims in the disputed South China Sea, and the condemnation of the new laws in Hong Kong.
“We’re proud to have stepped up maritime manoeuvres in that body of water (the South China Sea) alongside friends like Australia, India, Japan, and the UK,” Pompeo said in his full and prepared remarks, which were different from the brief summary he
out as his opening statement. He added: “India has banned 106 Chinese apps, including TikTok, that threatened its citizens’ privacy and security.”
The secretary of state had earlier indicated the United States had played an “assist” role in the first round of bans of 59 apps, without providing details. The US has since said it was considering a ban on TikTok and other Chinese apps, devices and companies that threaten the security of the country.
Pompeo said the US, Australia, India, and Japan have “reinvigorated” the “Quad” as part of an effort to confront China through multilateral bodies. He went on to say this “grouping is stronger than it has ever been and maybe we were gifted by General Secretary Xi (Jinping).”
“He took actions that caused each of the leaders of those countries to recognise the value of this group,” he added. The secretary was answering a question about India’s invitation to Australia to join the upcoming military exercises with the United States and Japan.
The top US diplomat went on to specify the many actions the Trump administration has taken against China in recent months: sanctions against Chinese officials for the mistreatment of Uighur muslims in Xinjiang; imposition of export controls on companies supporting it; termination of trade benefits for Hong Kong and the closure of the Chinese consulate in Houston, which, he said, had become a “den of spies”.