Harris Says China Coercing, Intimidating in South China Sea 

U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris said Tuesday China “continues to coerce, to intimidate, and to make claims to the vast majority of the South China Sea.” 

Speaking during a visit to Singapore, Harris said China’s actions “continue to undermine the rules-based order and threaten the sovereignty of nations.”  U.S. President Joe Biden’s administration has made countering Chinese influence a key part of its foreign policy.  “The United States stands with our allies and partners in the face of these threats,” Harris said.  “And I must be clear: Our engagement in Southeast Asia and the Indo-Pacific is not against any one country, nor is it designed to make anyone choose between countries.  Instead, our engagement is about advancing an optimistic vision that we have for our participation and partnership in this region.”