China ‘biggest geopolitical test’ for US, says Joe Biden’s East Asia nominee, Daniel Kritenbrink

Name: China’s most advanced amphibious assault ship likely to be deployed in disputed South China Sea
Uploaded: 2021-06-15T19:33:01.000Z
Duration: 1 min 50 s
Description: China’s most advanced amphibious assault ship likely to be deployed in disputed South China Sea

Remarks come during the long-time US diplomat’s confirmation hearing to become assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific affairs

‘The ongoing genocide in Xinjiang shocks the conscience,’ Kritenbrink tells US lawmakers

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Daniel Kritenbrink testifies before the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Tuesday. Photo: via YouTube

Jacob Fromerin Washington

Published: 3:33am, 16 Jun 2021Updated: 5:54am, 16 Jun 2021

US President Joe Biden’s pick to oversee the State Department’s East Asia policy told senators on Tuesday that China was “our biggest geopolitical test”, the latest sign that the administration has no plans to ease up on its hard-line stance towards Beijing.

This time, the comments came from Daniel Kritenbrink, a long-time US diplomat in Asia and Biden’s nominee to be assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific affairs.

Speaking at his confirmation hearing, Kritenbrink cited a laundry list of US concerns about Beijing’s foreign aggression and domestic repression under the leadership of Xi Jinping, including unfair trade practices, corruption and human rights abuses.

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China’s most advanced amphibious assault ship likely to be deployed in disputed South China Sea

“The ongoing genocide in Xinjiang shocks the conscience,” said Kritenbrink, who cited reports that an estimated 1 million Uygurs and other Muslim ethnic minorities have been detained in camps in the far-west Xinjiang region, with many subjected to forced labour. China denies all accusations of human rights abuses in Xinjiang.

“We will continue holding Chinese authorities responsible for the ongoing genocide in Xinjiang, the trampling of autonomy and civil liberties in Hong Kong and systematic repression in Tibet,” Kritenbrink said.

“We will bolster partners’ capacity to resist PRC intimidation and oppose China’s unlawful maritime claims,” he added, referring to territorial disputes between Beijing and its neighbours in the South China Sea.

Senators from both parties peppered Kritenbrink with questions about the US’ relationship with Taiwan, amid China’s increasing threats towards the democratic island, which Beijing claims as its own.