Kamala Harris, U.S. Vice President, delivers a speech at Gardens by the Bay in Singapore on August 24, 2021 before she departs for Vietnam on the second leg her Asia trip. Evelyn Hockstein | AFP | Getty Images
SINGAPORE Vice President Kamala Harris called out Beijing's actions regarding the South China Sea. She also sought to assure Asia countries that they will not have to choose between China and the U.S. Harris stated that Beijing is continuing to coerce, intimidate and make claims to the vast majority South China Sea. This was Harris' first official visit to Southeast Asia. She said that "these unlawful claims were rejected by the 2016 arbitration tribunal decision" and that Beijing's actions continue undermining the rules-based order and threatening the sovereignty of countries. The United States stands by our allies and partners as we face these threats. China claims almost the entire South China Sea, but the Permanent Court of Arbitration rejected that claim in 2016.
The South China Sea, a waterway rich in resources, is a crucial commercial shipping route that sees trillions of dollars worth of trade each year. Other territorial claimants to the sea are Taiwan, Vietnam and Malaysia. Beijing ignored the tribunal's ruling and has increased its presence in the area by building artificial islands and deploying vessels to patrol waters. Harris stated that the U.S. wants to promote an open Indo-Pacific, which is the region between the Indian Ocean and Pacific Oceans.
U.S.-China competition
As the U.S.-China rivalry intensifies, Southeast Asia, located in the heart Indo-Pacific, has been caught in the middle for the past few years. While the U.S. has been a significant presence in Southeast Asia for many decades through its economic and security engagements, China's aggressive push through programs like its Belt and Road Initiative has only increased Beijing's power in the region.
Let me be clear: We are not against any country in Southeast Asia or Indo-Pacific. Nor is it intended to force anyone to choose between countries. Kamala Harris U.S. Vice President
Harris assured the countries of the region that the U.S. would not force them to choose between Washington or Beijing. She stated, "It is important to be clear that our engagement in Southeast Asia/Indo-Pacific isn't against any country. Nor is it intended to make anyone choose among countries." Vice President also stated that the U.S. is still committed to the region, despite criticisms from President Joe Biden over his handling of the withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan. On Monday, she reiterated her statement that the U.S. was "laser-focused" on evacuation efforts.
