Biden Holds Talks with New Zealand Prime Minister... "Strengthening Indo-Pacific Cooperation" to Counter China

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Special Correspondent Joselgina] On the 31st (local time), U.S. President Joe Biden met with New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and expressed concern over China’s security agreement with the Solomon Islands. They also agreed to strengthen cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region, where China is openly revealing its ambitions.

According to the White House, President Biden and Prime Minister Ardern, in a joint statement released after their summit at the White House, stated, "We are concerned about the expanding strategic competition that threatens the institutions and order that form the foundation of regional security in the Pacific region."

The two leaders directly mentioned the security agreement between China and the Solomon Islands, criticizing that "the establishment of a permanent military base in the Pacific region by a country that does not share security interests or values will undermine the strategic balance of the region and raise security concerns for the United States and New Zealand."

They also emphasized, "A freer and more open Indo-Pacific depends on maintaining a rules-based order in the maritime domain," reaffirming "support for freedom of navigation and overflight in areas such as the South China Sea."

In his opening remarks at the summit, President Biden referred to his recent visits to South Korea and Japan and the Quad (the security consultative group of the United States, Japan, Australia, and India) summit, stating, "There is more to be done regarding Pacific island countries." He added, "The United States does not seek to dominate this region or create new rules."

This is interpreted as an effort to respond by enhancing cooperation with regional countries amid China’s expanding influence centered on South Pacific island nations. Major foreign media reported that the meeting also discussed ways to expand U.S. diplomacy in the Pacific region.

Additionally, President Biden and Prime Minister Ardern discussed issues such as climate change, COVID-19 response, and the response to the war in Ukraine. The joint statement also included support for the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and condemnation of North Korea’s ballistic missile tests.

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