Vice President Harris accuses China of undermining rules-based order

Vice President Kamala Harris accused China of undermining key elements of the international rules-based order and called its behavior in the East China Sea, South China Sea and Taiwan Strait disturbing. Harris, speaking aboard the USS Howard at the Yokosuka Naval Base in Japan, echoed President Joe Biden's recent comments backing Taiwan, saying the US will continue to oppose any unilateral change to the status quo. We will continue to support Taiwan's self-defense, consistent with our long-standing policy. Harris comments come at a time when the tensions between Beijing and Taipei are at the highest level in recent decades, with the Chinese military holding major military drills near the island.

Under the One China policy, the US acknowledges China's position that Taiwan is part of China but has never officially recognized the Communist Party's claim to the self-governing island of 23 million. The US provides Taiwan with defensive weapons, but has remained ambiguous about whether it would intervene militarily in the event of a Chinese attack.

China is undermining key elements of the international rules-based order. China has challenged the freedom of the seas. Harris said in the speech that China has flexed its military and economic might to coerce and intimidate its neighbors.

She added that the United States believes that peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait is an essential feature of a free and open Indo-Pacific. We will continue to fly, sail, and operate, undefiable and unafraid, wherever and whenever international law allows. Harris told US troops that they will support our allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific region in the hope of peace and stability, and that the US has a profound stake in the future of this region. Harris is in the region to lead a presidential delegation to the state funeral of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, which was held on Tuesday, and to meet with government officials from Japan, South Korea and Australia.

After Japan, Harris will travel to South Korea, where she is expected to visit the demilitarized zone between North Korea and South Korea on Thursday.