Biden’s Off-the-Record Remarks on China Spark Tensionsat Quad Summit
WILMINGTON, Delaware – A seemingly innocuoustechnical glitch at the Quad summit in Wilmington, Delaware, has sparked fresh tensions between the United States and China. During a closed-door session on September 21st, President Joe Biden, in what he believed to be an off-the-record conversation, launched into a critical assessment of China’s actions in the region,accusing the country of being increasingly aggressive and testing us in the South China Sea, East China Sea, South Asia, and the Taiwan Strait.
The remarks, which were inadvertently broadcast live due to an open microphone,have drawn sharp criticism from Beijing and raised concerns about the summit’s focus on countering China’s growing influence in the Indo-Pacific region.
China continues to act in a more and more aggressive way, testing us throughout the region,in the South China Sea, East China Sea, South Asia, and the Taiwan Strait. It’s doing so in every area of our relationship, including the economic and technological spheres, Biden said to Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, and US Secretary ofState Antony Blinken.
While the White House has insisted that the Quad summit is not directed at any specific country and that Beijing should not be concerned, Biden’s opening remarks, delivered after reporters had been asked to leave the room, suggest a clear focus on China.
The Quad is not about containing China, it’s about promoting a free and open Indo-Pacific, said Jake Sullivan, the US National Security Advisor. We are not seeking to create a new Cold War.
However, the incident has fueled concerns that the Quad is becoming increasingly focused on countering China. The joint statement issued after the summit, while not explicitly mentioningChina, expressed deep concern over the situation in the South China Sea and East China Sea, particularly the militarization of disputed features and coercive and intimidating actions in the South China Sea. The statement also condemned the dangerous use of coast guard and maritime militia vessels, including increasingly dangerous maneuvers.
Analysts had predicted that discussions about China would dominate the summit, but that leaders would avoid publicly criticizing Beijing. The White House’s attempts to downplay the focus on China appear to have been undermined by Biden’s candid remarks.
This summit is almost certain to anger China, said a Hong Kong-basedanalyst, speaking to the South China Morning Post on September 20th.
The incident has further strained relations between the US and China, which have been increasingly tense in recent years over issues ranging from trade to Taiwan. It also highlights the challenges facing the Quad in navigating a complex geopolitical landscape where China’sgrowing influence is a major factor.
The Quad, comprised of the US, Japan, India, and Australia, was formed in 2007 as a forum for dialogue and cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region. In recent years, the group has taken on a more strategic role, with a focus oncountering China’s growing military and economic power.
The incident in Wilmington has raised questions about the Quad’s approach to China and the potential for further escalation of tensions between the two superpowers. It remains to be seen whether the Quad can maintain its focus on cooperation while also addressing the growing challenge posed by China.
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