Blinken warns China against 'coercion and aggression' in first Asia trip
Source: Reuters
TOKYO (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned China against using “coercion and aggression” on Tuesday as he sought to use his first trip abroad to shore up Asian alliances in the face of growing assertiveness by Beijing.
China’s extensive territorial claims in the East and South China Seas have become a priority issue in an increasingly testy Sino-U.S. relationship and are an important security concern for Japan.
“We will push back if necessary when China uses coercion and aggression to get its way,” Blinken said.
Blinken came to Tokyo with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin in the first overseas visit by top cabinet members of President Joe Biden’s administration. It follows last week’s summit of the leaders of U.S., Japan, Australia and India - the Quad alliance.
Washington has denounced what it called Beijing’s attempts to bully neighbors with competing interests. China has repeatedly denounced what it called U.S. efforts to foment unrest in the region and interfere in what it regards as its internal affairs.
Read more: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-asia-blinken-japan/blinken-warns-china-against-coercion-and-aggression-in-first-asia-trip-idUSKBN2B71C9
Bullying neighbors with competing interests? Well Thank Christ we live in a country that would
never do that!
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