U.S. Vice President Joe Biden left some none-too-subtle hints that America would intervene in the South China Sea dispute if needed, and potentially laid the groundwork for a request that Australia join the fray also.
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Following the visit, Chinese officials warned their Australian counterparts about joining the USA military in patrolling the South China Sea, amid rising tensions between Washington and Beijing over the disputed waters.
Biden, who is in Australia as part of a Pacific tour, made the remarks on Tuesday, while addressing a number of American troops on the flight deck of the Australian warship HMAS Adelaide.
As former Prime Ministers Bob Hawke, Tony Abbott and John Howard watched on, Biden spoke fondly of the relationship and history between Australia and the U.S.
The vice president repeatedly mentioned the importance of the USA maintaining its presence in the Pacific, saying he believed the US, along with Australia, had provided stability throughout the region that has allowed countries such as China, South Korea and Japan to grow.
Joe Biden raises a toast to fallen troops at Admiralty House in Sydney with Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Lucy Turnbull.
“At a time like this, in the force of xenophobia and demagoguery and what is being trumpeted around the world, we have to remember who we are as Australians and Americans and reflect our best selves back to the world”.
Since the recent Hague ruling against their territorial claims in the South China Sea, which it promptly dismissed, China has warned Australia not to join United States freedom of navigation exercises near islands over which they have claimed sovereignty. “When he asked me why we were so engaged, I pointed out we are a Pacific nation”.
“It’s not what we can do for Australia, it is what we can do with Australia”. “We are a Pacific power, we are here to stay, and thank God we have you to lead us and to be with us”.
In his speech, the vice president said that while both Australia and the USA had been strengthened by generations of courageous immigrants, both still grapple with racism and exclusion that leaves many citizens behind. Biden said during his meeting with Turnbull.
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Biden is expected to land at Auckland International Airport at 6pm on Wednesday, making him the most senior USA politician to come here since President Bill Clinton attended the Apec summit in Auckland in 1999.
