On September 21, US President Joe Biden made statements related to China, causing public opinion to believe that this could affect diplomatic cooperation of the Quad group, including the US, Japan, Australia and India. The Quad group has always been careful to avoid naming China in its joint statements.
During a meeting in his hometown of Delaware, Mr. Biden emphasized that China continues to challenge the Quad group across the Asia-Pacific region. According to AFP news agency, Mr. Biden stated: “China continues to challenge us across the region.” Earlier, in a press conference, he also said that Beijing is changing tactics, but still maintains its strategic goals, continuing to confront the US in sensitive areas such as the East Sea, the East China Sea and the Taiwan Strait.
President Biden said Chinese President Xi Jinping is likely focused on addressing domestic economic challenges while trying to ease diplomatic tensions. Biden also pointed to recent US efforts to ease tensions with China, including a phone call between him and Xi in April 2024. He said these measures are helping to prevent the risk of major conflict.
Biden also discussed with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida their shared concerns about coercive and destabilizing actions in the South China Sea. The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining peace in the Taiwan Strait and pledged to cooperate in developing and protecting critical technologies such as artificial intelligence and semiconductors.
Biden’s outspoken comments on China, however, could make it difficult for the Quad countries to maintain a cautious diplomatic stance. At the Quad summit, these countries were careful to avoid directly criticizing China, to avoid raising regional tensions. The joint statement after the meeting expressed “deep concern” about the situation in the South China Sea and the East China Sea, and condemned “coercive and intimidatory actions” in the region, but did not mention Beijing.
The Quad also plans to expand the Indo-Pacific Partnership for Maritime Awareness (IPMDA) initiative, which was launched two years ago. The member countries plan to increase joint coast guard operations, allowing Australian, Japanese and Indian forces to be present on coast guard vessels. In addition, the Quad will also increase military logistics cooperation among member countries, to strengthen their presence and defense power in the region.
China has always expressed its strong opposition to the Quad, viewing it as an alliance aimed at encircling and confronting Beijing, further increasing regional tensions. The latest developments in the relationship between these countries may continue to put China in a position to respond more strongly in the coming time.