The United States has deployed its top diplomats for East Asia to China in what analysts perceive as a move to gauge China’s response following its bolstered defense relations with Japan and the Philippines amid escalating tensions in the South China Sea.
According to the US Department of State, Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel Kritenbrink, accompanied by National Security Council Senior Director for China and Taiwan Affairs Sarah Beran, will visit China from Sunday to Tuesday. Their discussions with Chinese officials are part of ongoing efforts to maintain open communication channels and responsibly manage competition, as stated by the US State Department.
Kritenbrink’s visit follows a trilateral summit between US President Joe Biden, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, and Philippine President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr. in Washington. During the summit, the leaders pledged to strengthen military ties and condemned China’s actions in the South China Sea as “dangerous and aggressive behavior.”
US President Biden reaffirmed America’s commitment to defending Japan and the Philippines, emphasizing that any attack on Philippine aircraft, vessels, or armed forces in the South China Sea would invoke the Mutual Defense Treaty.
Chinese experts view the US diplomatic move as a response to its recent provocations targeting China, aiming to assess China’s reactions and potential countermeasures. Observers highlight US hypocrisy in its approach to security issues, noting that it often initiates provocations and then presents itself as a mediator when China responds.
The Taiwan question is also expected to be on Kritenbrink’s agenda, as the US seeks to manage tensions across the Taiwan Strait with the upcoming change in regional leadership. Analysts caution that while the US may seek China’s assistance in global crises, its ultimate motivation is to enhance competition with China.
Experts warn that the US should not expect China to compromise on its core interests and sovereignty, emphasizing the importance of dialogue based on mutual respect and equality. While US media reports anticipate Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s visit to China, experts note that arrangements for such visits are uncertain until confirmed.