Why a network of alliances could tie down China across the Asia-Pacific region
- While the US is driving efforts at containment, other regional players are making their own arrangements due to concerns over issues such as the South China Sea
- Recent developments, such as Japan and Vietnam’s new security agreement, are likely to heighten concern in Beijing
The new grouping, known as Aukus, will allow the US to share highly sensitive nuclear submarine technology with Australia, which until recently was reluctant to get drawn into a cold war-style confrontation with China.
It is a clear break with his predecessor Donald Trump’s “America first” strategy, which resulted in frequent clashes with US allies as well as growing tensions with China.
“The Biden administration is moving back to alliances and diplomacy to compete with China, which is more welcome and has gained some support from countries in Southeast Asia,” Chen Xiangmiao, an assistant research fellow with the China National Institute for South China Sea Studies in Hainan, said.
Eight months into his presidency, Biden appears to have accelerated the progress. Not only is the US bolstering ties with traditional security partners in Asia – such as Japan, South Korea and the Philippines – but also new partners including Vietnam and India.