Biden Warns Quad Leaders that China Is ‘Testing Us’ in Private Comments at Summit

September 22, 2024 TruthUSA

President Joe Biden gathered the leaders of India, Japan, and Australia for a summit in Delaware.

President Joe Biden informed the leaders of Australia, India, and Japan that communist China is currently “testing us” with its actions in the Indo-Pacific, a statement captured on a hot mic at the Quad alliance summit on Saturday.

The summit, led by Biden near his hometown of Wilmington, Delaware, saw the attendance of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

Following their initial statements to the press, Biden addressed his Quad counterparts, stating that China’s recent activities represent a “change in tactic, not strategy.”

“China continues to act aggressively, testing all of us in various regions such as the South China Sea, the East China Sea, South China, South Asia, and the Taiwan Straits,” Biden expressed.

“We believe Xi Jinping is focusing on domestic economic challenges to minimize turmoil within China, diplomatic relationships, and is seeking additional diplomatic leverage to aggressively pursue China’s interests,” he added.

The joint declaration of the Quad leaders did not expressly mention China or Xi Jinping. The declaration raised concerns about the situation in the East and South China Sea.

China’s economy is currently experiencing challenges, evident from disappointing economic data in August such as industrial production, retail sales, and youth unemployment. In July, new home prices hit a nine-year low.

U.S. companies’ confidence in China has dropped to an all-time low, according to a survey by the American Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai.

Japan has raised concerns after a Chinese aircraft carrier entered its waters, following previous territorial breaches that prompted Japan to formally protest.

The Philippines has criticized China for aggressive actions in the South China Sea, including ramming boats, firing flares, and other incidents around contested areas like the Sabina Shoal.

The Chinese regime’s targeting of Taiwan with military provocations and cyberattacks has been noted, indicating a concerning escalation in tensions in the region.

Summit

Biden was overheard commenting on national security adviser Jake Sullivan’s visit to China in August.

“We see this engagement as crucial for preventing conflicts and managing crises amid strategic competition. We have made significant progress in U.S.-China bilateral relations,” Biden stated.

Prior to the Quad summit, Sullivan clarified that the purpose of the Quad is not solely focused on China but on maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

According to Ryan Hass of the China Center at Brookings, Biden’s remarks on the hot mic align with the administration’s approach to the U.S.-China relationship, potentially reassuring allies and partners.

Gordon Chang, a senior fellow at the Gatestone Institute, warned of the risks associated with China’s aggression in the region, particularly against the Philippines, suggesting the potential for broader conflict involving major global powers.

The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.

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