Biden appears to be in ‘lockstep’ with allies in China

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Price said it was’ no coincidence ‘that President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s initial interactions were with partners in Europe and the Indo-Pacific region, noting that’ we see our alliances, our partnerships worldwide as again power multiplier across a wide range of challenges, and so does our relationship with Beijing. “

Relations between Washington and Beijing during the previous Trump administration were often divided, with clashes over trade, technology, regional security and human rights issues.

Price described the US’s current relationship with Beijing as one that was seen “through the lens of competition and positioning ourselves to compete and ultimately outdo the Chinese.”

“We know China is engaged in a range of behaviors that hurt American workers. It weakens our technological lead. It threatens our alliances and affects international organizations,” Price said at a State Department briefing Tuesday.

“And China has been guilty of gross human rights violations that shock the conscience. So we will counter China’s aggressive and coercive actions, preserve our key military advantages, defend democratic values, invest in advanced technologies and restore its essential security partnerships,” he said.

However, he noted that there are issues such as climate change “for which we share a national interest and where it is in our national interest to work with China on a limited basis.”

“I think it goes without saying that we can walk and chew gum at the same time, so as not to be too casual,” said Price.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has previously suggested that after the November election, Beijing would be open to resuming its relationship with the US, stating that the two countries are at a “critical historic moment” after a year of escalating tensions.

The Taiwan question

The Foreign Ministry spokesman also called on China to “end its military, diplomatic and economic pressure on Taiwan and instead engage in meaningful dialogue with Taiwan’s democratically elected leaders.”

These three military hotspots in the Pacific could determine Biden's Chinese strategy
Beijing has ramped up military activity around Taiwan since Biden took office by sending fighter planes, including H-6K bombers, to Taiwan’s air defense identification zone on several occasions in what was seen as a direct message to the new US administration that China should not will admit. to his claims to sovereignty over the island.

The theme of working with allies has become apparent during the first few weeks in Biden’s government.

In words echoed by Price, new national security adviser Jake Sullivan said last week that Washington “wanted to be in close contact with Democratic allies and partners” in articulating America’s vision of the future of the world.

“We are going to stand up for a number of principles in the face of aggression and the kinds of steps China has taken,” Sullivan said during a panel discussion at the United States Institute of Peace in Washington.

An important part of that in the Indo-Pacific will be “the Quad,” an informal security relationship between the US, Japan, India and Australia, he said.

The group has conducted joint military exercises over the past year and reaffirmed the links within the four with bilateral defense deals.

“I think we really want to move forward and build on that format, that mechanism that we see as a fundamental foundation on which to build substantial US policies in the Indo-Pacific region,” Sullivan said.

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