Kamala Harris denounces Beijing pressure in South China Sea

Published on : 08/24/2021 – 08:46

On the second day of her visit to Singapore, the Vice President of the United States detailed the objectives of the American administration’s foreign policy in Asia. On this occasion, Kamala Harris said that “Beijing continues to exert pressure, intimidate and have claims over most of the South China Sea.”

“Beijing’s actions continue to undermine the international order based on law and threaten the sovereignty of nations,” she added, before recalling that “the United States is united with (our) allies and partners in the face of these threats “.

China claims almost all of the South China Sea, a sea area with significant resources and through which a large part of world trade passes. But four Southeast Asian countries, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei, as well as Taiwan, have competing claims to sovereignty over the area.

Beijing has been accused of deploying military equipment, including missile launchers, and ignoring a 2016 international court ruling that found most of its historic claims to be baseless. Tensions have worsened in recent months between China and countries contesting its maritime claims.

Kamala Harris also wanted to allay fears that growing tensions between China and the United States would force countries closely linked to the two economic powers to have to choose sides. “Our engagement in Southeast Asia and the Indo-Pacific is not directed against any country whatsoever, and is not aimed at forcing anyone to choose between countries,” she said. .

The crisis in Afghanistan has heightened doubts about the credibility of US support for its partners and cast a shadow over the vice president’s visit to Southeast Asia. This justified President Joe Biden’s decision to withdraw American troops from Afghanistan, a “courageous and good” decision. She reiterated that the Americans were prioritizing the ongoing evacuation of foreigners and Afghans at Kabul airport.

Scenes of chaos unfold at Kabul airport where a crowd of Afghans try to flee the Taliban, distraught by the memory of their abuses when they were in power from 1996 to 2000. The departure of American troops and the return to Flash power of the Taliban has again cast doubt on the superpower status of the United States, which is trying to reassure its partners. Kamala Harris on Monday promised a “lasting commitment” of the United States in Asia.

The US vice president is due to end her visit to Singapore on Tuesday and travel to Vietnam in the evening.

With AFP