America has a steadfast and enduring commitment to the Indo-Pacific region but wants cooperation, not control, US Vice President Mike Pence said Thursday in comments to a Southeast Asian summit that carried a veiled swipe at China's growing influence.
Pence, standing in for President Donald Trump at the 10-nation summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in Singapore and another later in the week in Papua New Guinea, told his fellow leaders that "empire and aggression have no place" in the region.
He said US support includes work to counter terrorism and pressure North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons and a commitment "to uphold the freedom of the seas and skies where we stand shoulder to shoulder with you for freedom of navigation, and our determination to ensure that your nations are secure in your sovereign borders on land, at sea, and in the digital world."
"Strong military activity will prompt a response from China. I do not mind everybody going to war, but except that the Philippines is just beside those islands. If there is shooting there my country will be the first to suffer."
Pence alluded to Chinese concerns that the US is seeking to contain its influence by saying, "Our vision for the Indo-Pacific excludes no nation." H
However, he added, "It only requires that every nation treat their neighbours with respect, they respect the sovereignty of our nations and the international rules of order."
Disclaimer: No Business Standard Journalist was involved in creation of this content