Fighting cancer is a personal goal for Biden, who lost his son Beau Biden to brain cancer previous year, with the opening of an Aus$1 billion (US$760,000) medical facility his first event on his Australia tour, ahead of talks with Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull.
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“We are not going anywhere”.
‘Our presence is essential to maintaining peace and stability, without which the economic growth and prosperity I believe would falter’. “That is how to maintain the free flow of commerce, that is the life-blood of this region”.
These statements are particularly belligerent in the light of Beijing’s rejection of The Hague ruling, its declarations of intent to continue its activities in the South China Sea and its announcement of military exercises in the area.
Regardless of the consequences, Washington is demanding nothing less than an unequivocal line-up by Australia in reckless U.S. operations in the South China Sea that risk conflict with Beijing. It is feared that arguments over the region could lead to conflict in the Pacific, which would likely draw in the US and Australia. He said: “The better angels in America will prevail”.
Forty-five per cent of voters said Australia should distance itself from the U.S. if it elects a president like Donald Trump, compared to 51 per cent who said the alliance should remain strong regardless.
“Whether or not we reach that potential, whether or not we continue to prosper and live in peace, in our view depends on our ability to maintain a free and fair and open and liberal worldwide system on the seas, in the skies, and with free and open commerce”.
He is on a Pacific tour to assert the United States’ role in the Pacific. Our commitment to our military strength is unparalleled.
Sixty per cent of the United States fleet and its most advanced military capabilities would be committed to the Pacific by 2020. At the same time, we are stronger and more effective when we were side by side with our closest and most partners – trusted partners.
“The United States has kept and will keep a laser focus on the future in the Asia-Pacific”, he said.
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Mr Biden attended the US-Australia Business Roundtable discussion at the Opera House as part of a three-day visit to Australia. During the meeting, he discussed the importance of investing in modern infrastructure, protecting intellectual property rights and passing the Trans-Pacific Partnership, an ambitious trade pact with Asian nations. U.S. Vice President Joe Biden, Left, meets the President of the RSL Fred Cullen, center, at a restored flag presentation at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne, Sunday, July 17, 2016. “We are a Pacific power, we are here to stay, and thank God we have you to lead us and to be with us”.
