President Biden, along with the leaders of Japan and the Philippines, made history on Thursday by holding the first-ever joint meeting to strengthen security and economic alliances in the Indo-Pacific region. The meeting aimed to create a shield against Chinese aggression in the area.
During the meeting at the White House, Mr. Biden emphasized the importance of deepening maritime and security ties with Japan and the Philippines. He made it clear that the United States’ defense commitments to both countries are ironclad, sending a strong message to China regarding its actions in the South China Sea.
Jake Sullivan, the White House national security adviser, described the diplomatic effort in Southeast Asia as part of a larger strategy to push back against China’s trade, technology, and military aggression. The goal is to form smaller, overlapping partnerships with like-minded nations to withstand Chinese pressure.
The leaders of the three countries highlighted the necessity of unity in the face of Chinese coercion, without explicitly naming China. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida of Japan emphasized the importance of multilayered cooperation, while President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. of the Philippines stressed the shared values of democracy, good governance, and the rule of law.
While bolstering alliances may not provide an immediate solution to China’s harassment in the South China Sea, the meeting demonstrated stronger military and diplomatic unity among the allies. The leaders discussed the issue of security in the region, with plans for joint naval drills and continued efforts to assert freedom of travel through international waters claimed by China.
The prospect of future naval drills near the Philippines could send a strong message to China and potentially deter further harassment in the short term. However, the long-term goal is to establish a web of alliances that can withstand changes in U.S. foreign policy, including the possibility of a more isolationist administration.
Overall, the meeting of the three leaders marked a significant step in strengthening alliances in the Indo-Pacific region and sending a clear message to China about the importance of unity and cooperation among like-minded nations.
