The top U.S. diplomat for East Asia, Daniel J. Kritenbrink, is set to travel to China along with Sarah Beran, Mr. Biden’s top China adviser on the National Security Council. The purpose of the trip is to maintain open lines of communication and manage competition with China. This visit comes after President Biden met with the leaders of Japan and the Philippines in Washington this week to counter China’s aggression in the region.
During the three-day state visit by Prime Minister Fumio Kishida of Japan, tensions over China’s moves in the Indo-Pacific region were a focus at the White House. The visit culminated in a first-ever three-way summit with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. of the Philippines, a nation that has been on the receiving end of China’s intimidation campaign in the South China Sea. Concerns have grown over the possibility of China starting a conflict over Taiwan, as well as the United States’ treaty obligation to defend the Philippines.
Enrique Manalo, the foreign secretary of the Philippines, expressed concerns over China’s escalation of harassment, which has resulted in injuries to Filipino seamen. The meeting at the State Department also included high-level officials such as Antony J. Blinken, Lloyd J. Austin III, and Jake Sullivan, who reaffirmed America’s commitment to defending its allies in the region. Japan has aligned itself more closely with the United States in countering China, increasing military spending and supporting U.S. positions on global issues such as the conflict in Ukraine.
The visit to China by the U.S. officials comes as tensions between the two countries have escalated in recent years. The last high-level U.S. official to visit China was Treasury Secretary Janet L. Yellen, who returned from Beijing this month with little progress made during economic discussions. Despite the challenges in the relationship, President Biden emphasized America’s commitment to its allies’ defense during the meetings with Japan and the Philippines, highlighting the importance of working together to ensure peace and stability in the region.
The U.S. has been strengthening alliances in the Indo-Pacific region to counter China’s growing influence. The visit to China by Daniel J. Kritenbrink and Sarah Beran is part of ongoing efforts to engage with Chinese officials and manage competition responsibly. As the U.S. navigates complex geopolitical dynamics in the region, maintaining open lines of communication with China and reaffirming commitments to allies like Japan and the Philippines are crucial for ensuring peace and stability. President Biden’s diplomatic outreach in the Indo-Pacific aims to address challenges posed by China’s aggression and advance U.S. interests in the region.
