Mike Pence’s message to China: aggression has no place in Indo-Pacific
- United States’ vision for the region ‘requires respect for neighbours and international rules’, vice-president tells Asean summit
- He reiterates US’ commitment despite Donald Trump’s absence in Singapore
US Vice-President Mike Pence has delivered a veiled warning to Beijing over its rising strength in the Indo-Pacific, saying aggression should not be tolerated and offering reassurances of Washington’s commitment to the region.
“We all agree that empire and aggression has no place in the Indo-Pacific,” Pence said as he addressed the summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) in Singapore on Thursday.
“Let me be clear, though: our vision for the Indo-Pacific excludes no nation. It only requires that nations treat their neighbours with respect, and respect the sovereignty of our nations and international rules and order.”
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He added that the United States remained committed to upholding the freedom of seas and skies “where we stand shoulder-to-shoulder with you on freedom of navigation”.
Pence did not name any nation, but his remarks came with the US and China locking horns over the South China Sea, where their navy vessels almost collided in September.
He said previously that Washington was committed to maintaining openness in the waterway and would not be intimidated by China.