Editorial | Reality bites as Joe Biden pushes for regional alliance against Beijing
- Senior US officials visiting Southeast Asia may stress peace and stability in the shadow of a rising China, but countries are also looking for trade, investment and infrastructure development
Harris criticised Beijing on both stops, saying Washington’s aim was peace and stability, freedom of the seas, unimpeded commerce, advancing human rights, a commitment to the international rules-based order and “the recognition that our common interests are not zero-sum”. The Biden administration sees China as the US’ biggest rival “and geopolitical test of the century” and believes it can offer a counterweight through trade and security.
Like Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin and Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman during their recent Southeast Asian trips, she identified Beijing’s territorial claims in the disputed waters of the South China Sea as the key threat to regional stability.
But the countries that have competing claims have a mechanism to deal with differences, and the warships that Washington and its allies are sailing through the area agitate rather than ensure peace.