Vice President Mike Pence, who is leaving the White House next week, called on the incoming Joe Biden administration to “always be vigilant,” especially in the face of U.S.-China relations.
Fox News reported that Pence told sailors at Lemoore Naval Air Station in California on June 16, “As the new U.S. administration prepares to take office, we, as Americans, should remember that the price of freedom is eternal vigilance.”
Pence said, “A free and open Indo-Pacific region is essential to our nation’s prosperity and security, and to the vitality of freedom around the world.”
He added that China is “determined” to expand its dominance in the region through “military provocation and debt diplomacy.”
I call on the incoming administration to stay the course and continue what we’ve been doing to stand up to Chinese aggression and trade misconduct,” Pence said at the end of his speech. …to stand firmly for a free and open Indo-Pacific region that puts America first with our freedom-loving allies.”
Pence’s comments come just days after the Trump administration declassified its strategy for how the U.S. will respond to China’s increased threat to Indo-Pacific nations.
“Air Force Magazine reported earlier this week that the U.S. strategy focuses on strengthening the military capabilities of India, Japan, South Korea and Australia to help the United States counter China’s growing dominance.
In addition to the documents released by the Trump administration, national security adviser Robert O’Brien said China “is increasing pressure on Indo-Pacific countries to subordinate their freedom and sovereignty to the Chinese Communist Party’s vision of a ‘community of destiny’.”
O’Brien said the goal of countering China is to assist allies in the region who “share the same values and desire a free and open Indo-Pacific.
As for whether the Defense Department will cut military spending after the new administration takes office, it is uncertain.
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