Biden Administration Mentions "Strategic Patience" Toward China for the First Time... "Deep Concern" Over Russia

In China... Long-term Encirclement and Pressure Through Alliances 'Obama Strategy'
In Russia... Harsh Remarks Mentioning Navalny Crackdown and Hacking

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondents Baek Jong-min and Lee Hyun-woo] The U.S. Joe Biden administration has drawn global attention by mentioning ‘strategic patience’ for the first time since its inauguration as the direction of its China policy.

Strategic patience was a key strategy advocated by the previous Barack Obama administration, focusing on long-term containment and pressure through cooperation with allies. This has been interpreted as showing that the Biden administration views the U.S.-China conflict itself as a long-term struggle.

According to foreign media including CNN on the 25th (local time), White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said during a press briefing, "We are engaged in serious competition with China. China challenges America’s security, prosperity, and values, and we want to approach this with a certain degree of strategic patience." This is the first time a concrete strategy related to China policy has been mentioned since President Biden took office.

Psaki’s remarks came in response to a question about whether Chinese President Xi Jinping’s call for ‘multilateralism’ during his keynote speech at the World Economic Forum (WEF) Davos Agenda virtual meeting would influence the Biden administration’s China policy. In his keynote speech, President Xi emphasized multilateralism targeting the U.S., stating that "a new Cold War would only divide the world." Psaki drew a line by saying, "President Xi’s remarks will not change the Biden administration’s China strategy," and brought up the term strategic patience.

Strategic patience was a major principle used in the Obama administration’s North Korea strategy. It refers to a diplomatic strategy that restrains from military demonstrations or visible pressure while tightening the opponent over the long term through alliance solidarity and economic sanctions. This is interpreted as an indirect indication that although President Biden had proposed a tough stance on China as a major campaign pledge during the last presidential election, he had not yet presented a concrete blueprint and now intends to carry the U.S.-China conflict forward from a long-term perspective.

Psaki also classified the U.S.-China Phase One trade agreement signed under the Donald Trump administration as subject to review. She said that measures such as investment bans on Chinese companies, which were prohibited by the Trump administration, are also under consideration. She particularly stated, "To prepare responses to China, consultations will be held not only within the administration but also with allies." This is interpreted as suggesting that the Biden administration will form an anti-China coalition in cooperation with allies.

Separately from the strategic patience strategy, Psaki emphasized, "President Biden believes we must hold China accountable for its unfair and illegal practices and ensure that U.S. technology does not promote China’s military buildup." The State Department also stated in a press release that day, "In response to China’s attempts to secure technological superiority, the U.S. must improve its defenses."

Unlike the cautious approach toward China, the U.S. government issued strong remarks against Russia. At a press conference following the signing of the ‘Buy America’ executive order, President Biden said, "We are very concerned about Russia’s actions," citing repression of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, hacking of the U.S. federal government, and allegations of ordering the killing of U.S. troops stationed in Afghanistan.

Regarding the Russian authorities’ violent crackdown on protests against Navalny’s arrest, Psaki said, "We urge the Russian government to immediately and unconditionally release Navalny and the protesters and to cooperate with an international investigation into Navalny’s poisoning incident."

She also warned, "President Biden is keeping all options on the table regarding Russia." The State Department also issued a statement that day calling for the immediate release of Navalny and the protesters.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.