Quad’s maritime partnership signals pledge to counter China, expand its scope: analysts

The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue leaders have unveiled plans to launch joint coastguard operations across the region next year

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Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida speaks during the Quad summit near Wilmington, Delaware, on Saturday. Photo: Kyodo

Published: 8:26pm, 23 Sep 2024Updated: 8:39pm, 23 Sep 2024

A new initiative by the Quad security bloc reflects its commitment to enhance its regional clout and counter China’s increasing aggression in the South China Sea through firm steps in maritime security cooperation, analysts say.

Over the weekend, US President Joe Biden hosted Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida for the latest summit of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) in Wilmington, Delaware.

In a joint statement following their talks, the leaders announced plans to launch joint coastguard operations next year “to improve interoperability and advance maritime safety” across the region.

Formed in 2007, the Quad has assumed more prominence under the Biden administration as the United States seeks to counter China’s growing influence in the Asia-Pacific.

The bloc’s latest initiative reflects a shift from just setting agendas to implementing concrete measures in security and other areas, analysts say.

A Chinese coastguard ship seen from the Philippine coastguard vessel BRP Cabra during a supply mission in the South China Sea. Photo: TNS

One such example was that a Quad member country could soon dispatch its maritime law enforcement officials to the patrol vessels of another member country under a new initiative, said Yoichiro Sato, a professor of Asia-Pacific studies at Japan’s Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University.