US to enhance military & economic cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region

Jakarta/Washington – US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said, ‘Concerns are growing over increasing Chinese aggression in the Indo-Pacific region. The United States will focus on strengthening military and economic cooperation in the region to counter these activities.’ Secretary of State Blinken is on a seven-day tour to Southeast Asia. This is the first visit of Blinken to Southeast Asia since Joe Biden took over the presidency. During the visit, Blinken is scheduled to visit Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand.

Arriving in the Indonesian capital, Jakarta, late on Monday, Blinken met with Indonesian President Joko Widodo. He then met with the Indonesian Foreign Minister and senior ministers and officials on Tuesday. At an event held at a university in Jakarta, the US Secretary of State shared the US policy for the Indo-Pacific region.

While expressing concern on China, the US Secretary of State said, ‘The United States will work with our allies and partners to secure the rule of law in the Indo-Pacific region. Every country has the right to choose its path. Hence, everyone from Northeast to Southeast Asia and the Mekong River to the Pacific islands express grave concern about Chinese aggression. China continues to claim rights over open maritime regions and indulges in subsidizing state-owned companies to cause upheavals in the markets, blocking exports to countries and denying contracts to those who disagree with its policies. All countries in the Indo-Pacific region are outraged by this Chinese behaviour. It has not gone down well even with the United States.’

The US Secretary of State pointed out that trade worth more than $3 trillion is under threat due to Chinese movements in the South China Sea. However, the United States is adamant that cargo movement and navigations in the South China Sea should be free and open. Thus, he said the United States has taken the initiative to maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan region.

The US Secretary of State clarified that the response must evolve with the changing nature of the security threat to the Indo-Pacific region. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said that this is why the United States should strengthen its ties with its allies and partners in the region and focus on enhancing military and economic cooperation. Blinken claimed to connect various military cooperation areas, defence business, political cooperation, the supply chain, and the exchange of military intelligence and technology.