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Opinion | Afghanistan debacle will make US courtship of Southeast Asia all the more difficult
- Despite the recent flurry of diplomatic activity, Vice-President Kamala Harris will have a tough job reassuring allies of US resolve to provide leadership when she visits the region this month, amid the botched withdrawal from Afghanistan
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While former US president Donald Trump did little to demonstrate traditional American leadership in the Indo-Pacific, in the face of China’s growing assertiveness in Asia and particularly in the South China Sea, his successor Joe Biden wants the United States to actively curb Beijing’s expansionist instincts.
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China has been building up artificial islands in the South China Sea and pre-empting the claims of others – Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam and Taiwan – and this has caused trepidation that US influence in the region is waning.
Trade between China and its neighbours has grown exponentially, making the latter vulnerable to Chinese pressure and impairing their ability to stand up to it, but this cannot be construed as subservience or permission for China to violate their sovereignty.
US Vice-President Kamala Harris will visit Singapore and Vietnam this month to reassure Southeast Asia of America’s resolve to provide leadership in the region and check China’s growing assertiveness.
White House spokeswoman Symone Sanders said Harris will “engage the leaders of both governments on issues of mutual interest, including regional security, the global response to the Covid-19 pandemic, climate change and our joint efforts to promote a rules-based international order”, adding that the visit was aimed at “deepening our engagement in Southeast Asia”.
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Chinese fishing boats return to disputed South China Sea after summer moratorium ends
Chinese fishing boats return to disputed South China Sea after summer moratorium ends
Harris’ visit follows intense diplomatic activity to strengthen America’s presence in the region. Last month, Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin visited Singapore, Vietnam and the Philippines, promising the US would “always lead with our values”.
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