America unveils plan to counter China in Indo-Pacific
A new Biden Administration strategy for the Indo-Pacific emphasises not going it alone in dealing with China’s growing influence and ambitions, underscoring the Administration’s efforts to strengthen security cooperation and other ties with allies and partners in the region.
The strategy paper was unveiled yesterday as US Secretary of State Antony Blinken was in the Pacific, meeting diplomats from Japan, South Korea, Pacific Island nations and other governments.
Senior Administration officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said the expanding US engagement in the region under President Joe Biden was something countries there wanted.
They added that the US was not pressing Asian and Pacific states to pick sides between the US and China.
The US objective in the region ‘‘is not to change China but to shape the strategic environment
in which it operates’’, the strategy paper says. It calls for ‘‘building a balance of influence’’ favourable to the US and its allies and partners, and managing its competition with China responsibly.
The Biden Administration has yet to release a strategy paper laying out its thinking for US policy towards China, and China’s growing influence globally and in Asia and the Pacific.
It has also retained aspects of the Trump Administration’s combative approach to China, including tariffs, and harsher talk on both sides.
On security issues in the Indo-Pacific, the Biden Administration says its plan includes continued support for the selfdefence of Taiwan, which China claims as its territory; deeper military integration with countries in the region to deter China, as with last year’s nuclear-powered submarine agreement with Australia; and expanding efforts against cyberattacks and threats from emerging technology.
Other priorities include promoting rule of law in the region’s seas and skies, where China makes frequent incursions into airspace and waters that neighbouring nations claim as theirs; and supporting the restoration of democracy in Myanmar.
under coach Jitka Klimkova´ before leading the young Phoenix side to their breakthrough win.
‘‘It’s been very emotional and it’s been a challenge. I haven’t been in a position before where I’ve been in the midst of a season and your focus becomes a little bit split because in the back of your mind you know you’re about to go away and need to prepare for this tour, but we’ve had these games.
‘‘But the club and the coaches have been really supportive around managing it, and overall it’s been a great week and this has really topped it off.
‘‘I’m very sad to leave but it’s a very exciting opportunity for me to go away, and they’re in great hands with Bri stepping in goal and Kate Taylor taking on the captaincy.
‘‘I’ll be cheering on from the States.
‘‘There were tears and there were hugs and the bus [back to the hotel] was fun.
‘‘. . . if anything it has increased the hunger for this team and the want to go on and do this for the next few games.’’