Reuters
Published Mar 16, 2023 09:46AM ET
Updated Mar 16, 2023 08:46PM ET
By Xinghui Kok
SINGAPORE (Reuters) - The current friction in the Indo Pacific is alarming and "trending in the wrong direction", but the U.S. presence was not an effort to contain or invite conflict with China, a senior U.S. admiral said on Thursday.
Admiral John Aquilino, Commander of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, said an "AUKUS" partnership between Australia, Britain and the United States to provide Australia with nuclear-powered submarines was to boost its defence capability.
"As good partners, United States and the United Kingdom will go ahead and assist in the ability for Australia to defend themselves," he said after giving a lecture in Singapore, answering a question from the audience.
"We are intending to move as fast as possible. And as safe as possible."
The United States under President Joe Biden has been shoring up alliances in the Asia-Pacific of late in an effort to counter China's assertiveness in the South China Sea and over the Taiwan Strait, as Beijing seeks to advance its territorial claims.
Aquilino said the United States, with its exercises and patrols in the region, was not seeking conflict or to contain China, and would not support Taiwan's independence.
Referring to remarks by China's Foreign Minister Qin Gang earlier this month that "conflict and confrontation" would be inevitable without a change in Washington's attitude, Aquilino said it was important he ensures that his partners and China know that U.S. was not looking for a fight.
"There's a place for China in this world to adhere and follow the rules like all the rest of us do," he said.
Written By: Reuters
Trading in financial instruments and/or cryptocurrencies involves high risks including the risk of losing some, or all, of your investment amount, and may not be suitable for all investors. Prices of cryptocurrencies are extremely volatile and may be affected by external factors such as financial, regulatory or political events. Trading on margin increases the financial risks.
Before deciding to trade in financial instrument or cryptocurrencies you should be fully informed of the risks and costs associated with trading the financial markets, carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite, and seek professional advice where needed.
Fusion Media would like to remind you that the data contained in this website is not necessarily real-time nor accurate. The data and prices on the website are not necessarily provided by any market or exchange, but may be provided by market makers, and so prices may not be accurate and may differ from the actual price at any given market, meaning prices are indicative and not appropriate for trading purposes. Fusion Media and any provider of the data contained in this website will not accept liability for any loss or damage as a result of your trading, or your reliance on the information contained within this website.
It is prohibited to use, store, reproduce, display, modify, transmit or distribute the data contained in this website without the explicit prior written permission of Fusion Media and/or the data provider. All intellectual property rights are reserved by the providers and/or the exchange providing the data contained in this website.
Fusion Media may be compensated by the advertisers that appear on the website, based on your interaction with the advertisements or advertisers.