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By John Geddie and Aradhana Aravindan
SINGAPORE (Reuters) – US Vice President Mike Pence said Thursday to leaders of Southeast Asian countries that there was no room for "the empire." and "aggression" in the Indo-Pacific region, a comment that could be interpreted as a reference to the rise of China.
Mr. Pence did not mention China at the opening of a summit with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Singapore, but stressed that small and large countries should be allowed to prosper in the Indo-Pacific.
The Prime Minister of Singapore later stated that the countries of South-East Asia did not want to take sides when major powers pushed them in different directions, but that one day it might be although this is the case.
At the ASEAN meetings held this week, leaders were warned that the post-Second World War international order was under threat and that trade tensions between Washington and Beijing could trigger a domino effect "of protectionist measures taken by other countries.
"Like you, we are looking for an Indo-Pacific in which all nations, big and small, can prosper and prosper – safely in our sovereignty, in our trust in our values and in strengthening us together," said Pence. "We all agree that the empire and the aggression have no place in the Indo-Pacific."
He added that Washington has taken steps to promote this vision, including encouraging private investment in infrastructure and pursuing "free, fair and reciprocal" trade.
The vice president also highlighted the US-led "pressure campaign" on North Korea, its "commitment to defend the freedom of the seas and the skies" and its determination to ensure the security of the nations of the world. 39, Southeast Asia at their sovereign borders, on the land and on the outside. sea in the digital world.
Pence's comments follow an important speech in October in which he denounced Washington's harsher approach to Beijing, accusing China of "ill-will" to undermine US President Donald Trump and for reckless military actions in the South China Sea.
The United States has conducted a series of "freedom of navigation" exercises in the disputed South China Sea, provoking anger from Beijing, which claims that these movements threaten its sovereignty.
China's claims in the South China Sea, which annually transits some $ 3 trillion worth of maritime trade, are challenged by Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Vietnam – all members of ASEAN – as well than Taiwan.
Beijing and Washington are facing a trade war in which they impose increasingly stringent tariffs on their respective imports.
At a press conference, it was asked how important it was for ASEAN not to take sides when major powers are trying to push it in different directions. Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said:
"It is very desirable for us not to have to take sides, but circumstances could allow ASEAN to choose one or the other," Lee said. "I hope this will not happen soon".
Leaders of the 10 ASEAN member countries have joined their counterparts from China, the United States, Russia, India, Japan, South Korea, the United States, and the United States. Australia and New Zealand for meetings.
(Report by John Geddie and Aradhana Aravindan, written by John Chalmers, edited by Raju Gopalakrishnan)
