Harris Says Indo-Pacific Nations Need to Partner on Security, Climate

U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris said Tuesday the Indo-Pacific region is “critically important to our nation’s security and prosperity” as she promoted partnerships with allies there and criticized China’s actions regarding the South China Sea. 

Speaking during a visit to Singapore, Harris said she was reaffirming U.S. commitments to peace and stability, freedom on the seas, unimpeded commerce, advancing human rights and an international rules-based order.  She cited the millions who depend on sea lanes in the region for their livelihood and the billions of dollars in commerce flowing through the region.  “And yet, in the South China Sea we know that Beijing continues to coerce, to intimidate and to make claims to the vast majority of the South China Sea,” Harris said. “These unlawful claims have been rejected by the 2016 arbitral tribunal decision.”