Kamala Harris says US not seeking conflict with Beijing but will ‘speak up’ on South China Sea
- The vice-president told reporters in Hanoi Washington welcomes competition with Beijing as she concluded her seven-day trip to Southeast Asia
- Harris also said she raised human rights issues including the release of political dissidents with Vietnamese leaders
“We are going to speak up when there are actions that Beijing takes that threaten the rules-based international order,” she added.
Kamala Harris’ Southeast Asia visit draws Chinese netizens’ ire
China, Vietnam, Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines and Taiwan lay claim to parts of the disputed waters of the South China Sea, which is crossed by vital shipping lanes and contains gas fields and rich fishing grounds.
In meetings with Vietnamese leaders on Wednesday, Harris said China’s “bullying and excessive maritime claims” in the South China Sea should be challenged, and offered US support to enhance Vietnam’s maritime security, including more visits by American warships to the country.
Her statements drew condemnation from Chinese state media.
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US Vice-President Kamala Harris: China continues to ‘coerce’ and ‘intimidate’ in South China Sea
On Wednesday, the state-run China Daily, responding to Harris’ comments in Singapore, said Harris had “wilfully ignored her own hypocrisy” in attempting to rally countries in the region against China.
On Thursday, after her meetings in Hanoi, the Global Times said the US was “dreaming” to incite Vietnam to confront China.
“For Washington, it couldn’t be better if a new war between Beijing and Hanoi breaks out,” the tabloid, published by the official newspaper of China’s ruling Communist Party, said in an editorial.
In addition to rebukes by China’s foreign ministry and state media, Beijing attempted to stage its own diplomatic coup during the trip with a surprise meeting in Vietnam, held as Harris’ departure from Singapore was delayed by three hours.
In her own meeting with Chinh one day later, Harris pledged a US donation of 1 million Pfizer vaccine doses to Vietnam.
Will Vietnam heed US call for ‘strategic’ upgrade to bilateral ties?
“I will tell you we’re looking into it and I’m not able to share much more at this time,” Harris said of the incident in Thursday’s news conference.
The US administration has called rivalry with China “the biggest geopolitical test” of the century as it tries to rebuild its relationships in the region with a series of high-profile visits.
Over the last few years, tensions between China and Vietnam in the South China Sea have remained high, although Hanoi has attempted to strike a delicate balancing act.
Hanoi and Beijing’s ruling Communist parties maintain close ties, and Vietnam is dependent on imported Chinese materials to support its manufacturing and exports.
Meanwhile, ties with old foe the United States have grown increasingly close, although Washington has said there are limits to the relationship until Vietnam makes progress on human rights, an issue Harris said she raised with the country’s leaders.
“We will not shy away from speaking out, even when those conversations, may be difficult to have, and perhaps difficult to hear,” she told reporters.
Harris said she spoke with Vietnamese leaders in particular about the release of political dissidents, but did not describe the outcome of those conversations. Vietnam has faced criticism for restrictions on freedom of expression and the press and a crackdown on people it deems political dissidents. But Harris didn’t respond when asked why the US criticises China for similar abuses, but is seeking a stronger partnership with Vietnam.
