Revised Article:
Biden reaffirms US dominance in the Pacific
Upon meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, US President Joe Biden asserted America's stance as a dominant force in the Pacific region. Speaking at the Asia-Pacific Economic Community (APEC) summit in San Francisco, Biden declared, "We are a Pacific nation, and the United States is not backing down."
Xi had inquired about US involvement in the Pacific the day prior. Biden responded, "Because we are a Pacific nation." He explained that preserving peace and stability in the region was a United States priority.
21 nations, including the US, China, Russia, Japan, and South Korea, make up the APEC group. These countries, which collectively account for a staggering 60% of global GDP, share a common goal of bolstering economic growth in the Asia-Pacific region by reducing trade barriers. Biden murmured congratulations on the group's potential infinite riches, stating, "The United States remains essential to the region's future, and the region has never been more vital to America."
The APEC summit this year was overshadowed by Biden's bilateral meeting with Xi. The leaders discussed stabilizing the strained relations between their two countries. Xi also attended the summit afterwards.
Competition between the US and China was evident at the meeting. Both nations actively pursued the favor of major investors and companies from other APEC nations. Biden commended the United States' businesses for upholding high standards, fair practices, worker protection, world-class innovation, and dedication to environmental concerns.
China, too, capitalized on the opportunity to promote investment. Xi proclaimed the "socialist market economy" as China's strength, claiming the nation's economy had "steadily recovered and developed for the better" this year. Nonetheless, this year's growth momentum was short-lived, with a decline in consumption and the ongoing real estate developer crisis weighing on economic output.
The tussle between the US and China was not confined to the APEC gathering. Since assuming office, Biden has focused on establishing the United States as a dominant player in the Indo-Pacific region. This approach is part of a broader effort to oppose China's power ambitions in the region. Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have visited various countries in the Indo-Pacific region, while US cabinet members have also been engaging with its partners in the area.
Biden's statement, "The United States remains critical to the future of the region, and the region is more important than ever to the United States of America," echoed the nation's commitment to maintaining a strong presence in the Indo-Pacific.
- The United States' involvement in the Pacific is driven by the desire to promote peace and stability in the region, as President Joe Biden emphasized at the APEC summit in San Francisco.
- At the summit, Biden and Xi discussed the role of international organizations, like APEC, in addressing global challenges. Biden reiterated the US's dedication to cooperating with all APEC members to foster economic growth and prosperity in the area.
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Background Insights
The US and China are presently engaged in a perceptible power struggle in the Pacific region. While both nations play key roles in the region's growth and prosperity, they also pursue contrasting strategic objectives.
The US strategy revolves around several key components:
- Enhanced Diplomatic Presence: The US seeks to expand its diplomatic presence in the Pacific region to counterbalance Chinese influence. This includes opening new embassies, increasing the number of diplomats on the ground, and strengthening existing diplomatic ties.
- Maritime Security: The US Coast Guard is an essential element in the US's Pacific strategy, responsible for ensuring maritime security in the region. Increasing funding for the Coast Guard is integral to building strong relationships with Pacific Island states.
- Regional Alliances: The US actively supports its allies, particularly Japan, South Korea, and the Philippines, to deter Chinese aggression. The presence of US forces in these countries serves as a deterrent against Chinese aggression and acts as a tripwire against potential conflicts.
- Technological and Military Engagement: The US aims to compensate for Chinese power in the Pacific by engaging in technological and military competition. This strategy includes collaborating with its allies to enhance their defensive posture, encouraging them to boost their defense spending, and purchasing US armaments.
China's strategy in the Pacific also holds several critical components:
- Military Modernization: China's aggressive military modernization effort aims to create a more powerful and technologically advanced military force to counter US influence in the region.
- Grey-Zone Tactics: China employs various grey-zone tactics, like constant presence in contested waters and territories, to pressure US allies and partners without escalating tensions to a full-scale conflict.
- Territorial Claims: China asserts its territorial claims, especially in the East and South China Seas, seeking to secure international acquiescence without triggering US intervention.
- Global Aspirations: China's global aspirations, including the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the establishment of military bases elsewhere, reflect its desire to expand its influence beyond the Pacific region. The US views these ambitions with concern, as they could potentially weaken the US's global standing.
Strategic Ambiguity
Strategic ambiguity is a critical factor in US-China relations in the Pacific, especially with regards to Taiwan. The US maintains a commitment to defend Taiwan, while avoiding a promise of direct military intervention. This balance sometimes becomes challenging to uphold, as China's military modernization progresses and the risk of miscalculation increases.
