JAKARTA - US Defense Secretary Lloyd James Austin III said China's claims and actions in the Indo-Pacific threaten the sovereignty of countries around the region while underscoring Washington's commitment to building partnerships that ensure the vital interests of all countries.
"Beijing's claim to large parts of the South China Sea has no basis in international law. The statement steps on the sovereignty of countries in the region", Austin said in a speech at the International Institute for Strategic Studies in Singapore, Tuesday, quoted by CNN, Wednesday, July 28.
With China claiming 1.3 million square miles of the South China Sea as its own, in contravention of international law, Austin says China's stubbornness extends beyond the South China Sea.
"Beijing's reluctance to resolve disputes peacefully and respect the rule of law goes beyond the water. We have also seen aggression against India, destabilizing military activity, and other forms of coercion against the Taiwanese people, as well as Uighur Muslim genocide and crimes against humanity in Xinjiang", said Austin
Despite the list, Austin said the US was not seeking military conflict with Beijing. Although, he said the US was not afraid and at the same time did not want a conflict with the Bamboo Curtain country.
"We will not when our interests are threatened. But we do not seek confrontation. Let me be clear, I am committed to pursuing a constructive and stable relationship with China", he said.
In reality, six months after President Joe Biden's Administration came into existence, relations between Washington and Beijing, which have deteriorated in recent years, are rockier than ever. The current tensions were highlighted the day before in a war of words between the two countries' senior diplomats during talks in Tianjin, China.
The US delegation led by Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and other officials.
The State Department called the meeting "frank and open", the diplomatic code for skirmishes, painting Beijing as an international outlier who undermines international norms.
Beijing, which described the talks as "in-depth and honest", responded with much criticism, with Chinese officials expressing discontent with Washington's policy of calling China extremely dangerous and calling the United States a human rights hypocrite.
Regarding the South China Sea, where the US has carried out Freedom of Navigation operations with US warships crossing areas claimed by China, even holding routine exercises in the area. Meanwhile, China called the move destabilizing and trampling on their sovereignty.
Washington, according to Lloyd Austin, sees the operation as its commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific and essential to supporting US allies and partners throughout the region. Austin also pushed for the partnership in a speech Tuesday.
"Our network of alliances and friendships is an unrivaled strategic asset. The United States and the region are safer and more prosperous when we work with our allies and partners", said Austin.
Austin said the US did not ask Indo-Pasific countries to choose between Beijing and Washington but united to solve regional and global problems, including the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change.
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In response to Austin's statement and presence in Southeast Asia. China is trying to downplay what it can gain from a visit to the region.
“Easier said than done for Washington to strengthen its relations with Southeast Asia”, Hu Bo, director of the Beijing-backed South China Sea Strategic Situation Investigation Initiative, wrote in an article in the state-run Global Times.
"It is difficult for Washington to take advantage of Southeast Asian countries in terms of economy, diplomacy, and the fight against COVID-19. The only thing Washington can offer is security and defense cooperation", Hu wrote.
"Washington has capitalized on the concerns of some Southeast Asian countries about China's rise and raised the 'China threat' theory, thereby deepening ties with these countries", he concluded.
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