U.S President Joe Biden’s first tour of Asia is expected to be dominated by discussions on China, North Korea and Taiwan
U.S leader Joe Biden will travel to Asia this week for the first time in his presidency.
Countering China sits atop President Biden’s list of priorities, as the U.S moves to allay fears their focus in the area has slipped during the current conflict in Ukraine.
Biden’s arrival comes amid a background of simmering tensions in the area. Beijing’s influence over Taiwan will be at the forefront of discussions, as will North Korea’s military capabilities, after reports of a North Korean missile test surfaced this week.
Japan and South Korea will both host the U.S president, who will also meet with leaders of India and Australia at a quad nations summit.
Quad nations meeting
The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue is a strategic alliance between the U.S, Australia, India and Japan. Various iterations of the dialogue have existed since 2007.
While not a military alliance like NATO, the U.S regards the grouping as key to cementing pro-democratic values throughout Asia.
Reports suggest Biden will highlight issues including COVID vaccines, humanitarian aid, infrastructure development as well as climate, space and cyberscurity.
China’s influence throughout Asia will also be at the forefront of discussions after a tense year of relations between Beijing and the West.
In January this year, Beijing officials threatened to clash with the U.S over Taiwanese independence, and more recently condemned U.S military for sailing through the Taiwanese straight. Which they claim disturbs peace in the area.
Australia-China relations have also come under friction in recent weeks. Last month, Beijing signed a controversial security pact with the Solomon Islands, raising fears China could set up a de-facto military base off Australia’s east coast.
However Australia’s stance with China could be impacted by the impending federal election, which could see a change of government on Saturday.
North Korea
President Biden is also expected to address concerns over North Korea, after the nation conducted another missile test during the week.
Dr. Tillman Ruff told Ticker NEWS North Korea “has embarked on an enormous acceleration of its missile testing.”
“There have been 15 tests so far this year.” He says
Dr. Ruff says it is likely these test were timed to coincide with the election of a new conservative president in South Korea, and while global attention’s were focused on the war in Ukraine.
However, Human Rights Watch has called on Biden and newly elected Korean President Yoon Seok-youl to address North Korea’s human rights record as well as its nuclear capabilities.
North Korea is currently experiencing its first major COVID-19 outbreak, and there are fears the nation, which has not administered vaccines, could be facing a catastrophic death toll.
In a statement on the Human Rights Watch website, Lina Yoon urged the U.S and Korea to persuade Kim Jong-un’s regime to accept foreign aid.
“North Koreans are facing a uniquely acute catastrophe, and the world should make every effort to address it” she says.
Bryan Hoadley Contributed to this post.
