By Camille Diola
The Philippine Star
Vice President Joe Biden, speaks about the U.S. policy toward the Asia-Pacific region at an event hosted by the Center for American Progress, in Washington, Thursday, July 18, 2013. AP PHOTO/MANUEL BALCE CENETA
American Vice President Joe Biden said in a speech that the alliance with the Philippines is among the cornerstones of the United States’ defensive and economic strategies in the Asia Pacific region.
“The core of our strategy in the region are our alliances: Japan, South Korea, Australia, the Philippines, Thailand,” Biden said, sharing his take on the United States’ policy in the region at the Center for American Progress on Thursday (Manila time).
Biden said the US’ strategic ties with these countries that have transformed economically the past years are at the center of President Barack Obama’s “re-balancing” policy, shifting its focus from Western nations to Asia.
“Economically and strategically, it’s clear why the United States has to re-balance, to direct our resources toward the Asia Pacific region,” he said.
Biden also admitted that building alliances with the five countries as well as India, Singapore and Indonesia have not been without risk, as many of them suffer from disputes.
“In the Asia-Pacific, we saw a region of remarkable promise but also genuine uncertainty and political risk. Many nations have experienced rapid economic transformation that has fundamentally created a new dynamic: rising ambitions and rising tensions,” Biden said.
To address the challenges, he said that the US’ “entire national security and economic teams” are committed to solving concerns in the Pacific region.
The strategy consists in “strengthening our alliances, deepening partnerships and investing like never before in regional institutions to help manage disputes peacefully,” Biden said.
Seeing the disputes over the South China Sea with China claiming almost the entire territory, Biden urged China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to draft a binding code of conduct over the sea territory.
“That means no intimidation, no coercion, no aggression and a commitment from all parties to reduce the risk of mistakes and miscalculation,” he said.
“It is in everyone’s interest that there be freedom of navigation, unimpended lawful commerce, respect for international laws and norms and a peaceful resolution of territorial disputes,” Biden added.
Biden also said the US wants to help create 21st century “rules of the road” to help Asian nations integrate and achieve security and prosperity.
To spark growth, nations must raise their standards. He says there must be fewer border barriers and better protections for intellectual property, the US vice president said.
Another highlight of Biden’s address is about the US’ relationship with a growing superpower in China–calling the ties both of “competition and cooperation” and not of inevitable conflict.
He said Americans like to compete and that competition is good for both countries. U.S.-China relations have been aggravated by economic rivalry, accusations of cyber hacking and China’s inaction in extraditing NSA leaker Edward Snowden. – With reports from AP
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US commander: China’s aggression leads to US, allies’ closer ties
By Camille Diola
The Philippine Star
The Philippine Star
United States Air Force General Herbert “The Hawk” Carlisle. US ARMED FORCES PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines – United States Pacific Air Forces Commander Herbert Carlisle said China’s behavior in the South China Sea has led to stronger ties between the US and its Asian allies which include the Philippines.
“Some of (China’s) fairly assertive, aggressive behavior has in fact brought our friends and they’re relying on us to be there and to be present,” Carlisle said in reports from Washington on Monday.
The US has lately shifted its military and diplomatic focus on the Asia Pacific partly due to Beijing’s claims, with Vice President Joe Biden saying that the “core” of such strategy are alliances with Japan, South Korea, Australia, the Philippines, Thailand and Singapore.
“One of the main tenets of our strategy is to expand engagement and interoperability and integration … with our friends’ and partners’ militaries,” Carlisle said.
Carlisle also weighed in on China’s military buildup, saying it runs the risk of having unintended consequences sooner or later.
“Being fairly aggressive runs the risk of creating the potential for miscalculation,” he said.
Carlisle warned that such aggression may result in an unprecedented response from the different countries that Beijing does not anticipate.
“It’s a complex, changing environment. Every action has unintended consequences and second and third order effects,” Carlisle said.
The American general also gave an overview of the Pacific Command’s positioning in the region, saying that the Air Force’s F-22 fighter jets are present there.
Unmanned spy aircrafts as well as a new F-35 fighter plane will be sent to the area where there is increasing tension.
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