Quad Meeting Comes a Week After China Strengthens Ties with ASEAN
March 12, 2021–In his first multilateral summit since taking office in January, U.S. President Joe Biden hosted a virtual conference today with the leaders of Japan, India and Australia.
“The Quad is going to be a vital arena for cooperation in the Indo-Pacific,” Biden said. “The United States is committed to working with you our partners and all our allies in the region to achieve stability.”
The talks, known formally as the “Quadrilateral Security Dialogue” since their start in 2007, are designed to strengthen diplomatic, military and economic ties among the members. While not an alliance, the informal dialogue provides a structure for the leaders to work together.
During the opening statements, the leaders expressed common values of free and open societies.
Key topics included the vaccine rollout to prevent COVID-19, climate change and technology standards and development.
China, ASEAN Commemorate 30-Year Partnership
Meanwhile, China is increasingly strengthening its role in Asia and carving out a place for itself as a regional leader.
Last week, China reaffirmed its ties with the 10-member ASEAN organization representing Southeast Asia countries. Participants in the March 5 virtual meeting strengthening China-ASEAN trade and investment. They also agreed to ratify the 2020 Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Agreement.
World’s Largest Free-Trade Agreement to Come Into Force
Notably, the RCEP is the world’s largest trade agreement. It includes 15 countries and accounts for 30 percent of the world’s GDP. Once six member countries ratify the agreement, it comes into force.
China ratified the agreement on Monday. Commerce Minister Wang Wentao urged member nations to follow, saying: “The sooner the agreement enters into force, the more it will benefit the people in the participating countries.”
China is strengthening its ties with ASEAN countries and buttressing bilateral relations.
In a summary of the ASEAN event posted by the Foreign Ministry Office, China’s Vice Foreign Minister Luo Zhaohui said China intends to take the alliance to “new heights,” foster new growth drivers, promote economic and social digital transformation, and “open wider to the outside world.”
For more information, see the White House Briefing Room and China’s Ministry of Commerce and Foreign Ministry.
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