Kamala Harris spoke out against Beijing threat of coercion and intimidation in the South China Sea

The American Vice President, Kamala Harris on Tuesday accused Beijing of coercion and intimidation in the disputed South China Sea, by seeking the support of its allies to confront China.

“Beijing continues to coerce, intimidate and claim the vast majority of the South China Sea”, Harris said in a speech in Singapore, in which he outlined his government’s foreign policy goals for Asia.

His comments come as Washington seeks to revive its relations with Asia, after the turmoil of Donald Trump’s administration, and to build a base of allies against China.

But the trip, which also includes a visit to Vietnam, coincides with the complex departure of US troops in Afghanistan, which has cast doubt on Washington’s reliability as an ally.

In view of this, Harris maintained that his government has “lasting commitments” in Asia.

Added that “Beijing’s actions continue to undermine order and threaten the sovereignty of nations. The United States supports our allies and partners in the face of these threats. “

– “Courageous and correct” –

China claims sovereignty over almost all of this sea, through which billions of dollars in maritime trade pass each year, despite the fact that four Southeast Asian countries and Taiwan also contest it.

Beijing has been accused of sending military equipment, such as anti-ship missiles, to the region and ignored a 2016 international court ruling that declared its claim to most of its waters baseless.

In recent months, tensions have grown between Beijing and other countries claiming sovereignty at sea.

The Philippines was devastated when hundreds of Chinese ships were detected in its economic exclusion zone, while Malaysia deployed fighter jets to intercept Chinese military planes that appeared near its shores.

US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin also visited Singapore in July and severely criticized China for its maritime claims.

In this scenario, Harris’ presence is intended to allay fears about Washington’s involvement in Asia after the withdrawal from Afghanistan.

In her speech on Tuesday, the vice president defended President Joe Biden’s decision to go ahead with the withdrawal from Afghanistan, calling it “courageous and correct”.

He argued that US authorities are “completely focused” on the chaotic evacuation of Kabul airport.

Harris will also meet with business leaders in Singapore to discuss business issues, including the global microchip shortage, before leaving for Hanoi.

(With information from AFP)

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