Biden Vows Iron Hand Vs. China's Abuses In 1st Foreign Policy Speech

President Joe Biden has formalized his administration's tough stand against China's abuses, saying he'll call out economic and human rights violations by America’s “most serious competitor" in his first major policy speech since ascending the presidency on January 20.

Biden on Thursday declared "America is back" as leader of the free world. He also proclaimed "diplomacy is back at the center" of U.S. foreign policy.

Biden pledged to restore U.S. alliances and lead with multilateral diplomacy to meet international crises while reversing ex-President Donald Trump's jingoistic "America First" foreign policy. Abuses by Russia and China are at the top of his list.

“We will confront China’s economic abuses,” said Biden, who described China as America’s “most serious competitor.”

He said the U.S. will resist China's "economic abuses, counter its aggressive, coercive action to push back on China's attack on human rights, intellectual property, and global governance."

His administration's relationship with Beijing won't only be confrontational, however. He said the U.S, will also be ready “to work with Beijing when it’s in America’s interest to do so. We’ll compete from a position of strength by building back better at home and working with our allies and partners.”

Biden reminded everyone he's spent more time with China’s President Xi Jinping than any other world leader over the past two decades in a hint he's laid the groundwork for working with the Chinese leader.

True to earlier statements, Biden again promised to work more closely with U.S. allies in Asia and Europe to oppose China and Russia.

“Over the past two weeks, I’ve spoken with the leaders of many of our closest friends–Canada, Mexico, the UK, Germany, France, NATO, Japan, South Korea, and Australia–to begin re-forming the habits of cooperation and rebuilding the muscles of democratic alliances that have atrophied from four years of neglect and abuse,” said Biden.

President Joe Biden gestures

His message is similar to those made the other day by the Department of State and the Department of Defense. The U.S. is  more concerned about talking to U.S. allies first, said White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki and State Department spokesman Ned Price speaking at separate press events.

"So, as a first step we want to make sure that we are in lockstep with those allies, in lockstep with those partners, and then ... you can expect that there will be engagement in several areas with China," said Price.

He said it's "no coincidence" Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken's initial interactions were with America's allies in Europe and the Indo-Pacific region. He described U.S. alliances and partnerships as a "force multiplier" that advance U.S. national interests.

Price described America’s relationship with China as one viewed "through the lens of competition and positioning ourselves to compete and ultimately to out-compete with the Chinese."

"We know that China is engaged in a range of conduct that … threatens our alliances and influence international organizations."

"And China has engaged in gross human rights violations that shock the conscience. So we will counter China's aggressive and coercive actions, sustain our key military advantages, defend democratic values, invest in advanced technologies and restore are vital security partnerships," he said. (4 Feb. 2021)

Japan, UK Oppose China Law Authorizing Force Vs. Foreign Ships

Japan and the United Kingdom are warning China not to abuse its contentious Coast Guard Law that allows its coast guard vessels to fire on foreign ships at their discretion in the South China Sea and East China Sea.

The law, which took effect Monday, was assailed Wednesday by both Minister of Foreign Affairs Toshimitsu Motegi and Minister of Defense Nobuo Kishi during an online conference with their British counterparts, Foreign Minister Dominic Raab and Secretary of State for Defense Ben Wallace.

In their joint statement issued after the talks, the ministers expressed “serious concerns" about rising tension in regional seas. They urged China and other Asian states involved in territorial disputes with China “to exercise self-restraint and refrain from activities likely to raise tensions, in particular militarization and coercion.”

They also expressed “grave concerns” over China’s crackdown on opposition pro-democracy leaders in Hong Kong, and “gross human rights violations being perpetrated against Uyghurs and other minorities in Xinjiang."

The ministers also agreed to strengthen defense and security cooperation between Japan and the UK to ensure a “free and open Indo-Pacific” goal Japan has been fighting for along with the U.S., Australia and India to deter China.

“Japan is staying alert and paying close attention to its effect on us,” said Motegi said in the online talks. "I believe the law should not be used in a way that violates international law.”

Kishi said Japan "would like to share our strong concern with you (the UK)” about the Coast Guard Law. He welcomed the deployment this March to East Asia of a British carrier strike group led by the new Royal Navy aircraft carrier, HMS Queen Elizabeth (R08), as part of Britain’s growing commitment to the region.

Royal Navy Group commander Commodore Steve Moorehouse said the deployment will be the navy's largest peacetime task group in 25 years. It proves Britain's commitment to maintaining world security, or "a visible demonstration of global Britain."

"In practical terms, my strike group is now at very high readiness, meaning we are at five days' notice to deploy, if required, in response to global events and in defense of British interests," said Moorehouse last month.

The supercarrier's air wing on this maiden Asian deployment will consist of 14 Northrop Grumman F-35B short takeoff/vertical landing stealth fighters and four helicopters. Its surface escort will include four Type 45 destroyers, Type 23 frigates. a nuclear submarine, a combined fleet stores ship and a tanker.

Only this week, the Biden administration indicated its support for transforming the "Quadrilateral Security Dialogue," or Quad, involving Japan, the U.S., India and Australia into a formal Asian military alliance also including other countries outside Asia such as the UK. This proposed military pact is being called the Asian NATO.

Japan and China Coast Guard Vessels

The UK has also indicated its willingness to join the Asian NATO. Citing credible government sources, British media said the administration of Prime Minister Boris Johnson is not objecting to the UK joining Quad.

Speaking at this week’s online United States Institute for Peace forum, U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan said transforming Quad into a military alliance is a goal of the Biden administration.  He said the Biden administration “really wants to carry forward” the work of bolstering the capabilities of Quad beyond an informal grouping of countries standing-up to China.

The Coast Guard Law allows the China Coast Guard to “take all necessary measures, including the use of weapons when national sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction are being illegally infringed upon by foreign organizations or individuals at sea."

The law also allows coast guard personnel to demolish other countries’ structures built on Chinese-claimed reefs and to board and inspect foreign vessels in waters claimed by China. (4 Feb. 2021)

U.S. Set To Transfrom 'Quad' Alliance Into 'Asian NATO'

The Biden administration has indicated its support for transforming the "Quadrilateral Security Dialogue," or Quad, among the United States, India, Australia and Japan into a formal Asian military alliance also involving other countries outside Asia.

National security adviser Jake Sullivan said the Biden administration “really wants to carry forward” the work started by ex-President Donald Trump in strengthening the capabilities of Quad beyond an informal grouping of countries determined to stand-up to China. Quad has long been referred to as the "Asian NATO" because of the immense military power, especially seapower, of its four partners.

Speaking at the online United States Institute for Peace forum, Sullivan said bolstering Quad into a military organization is a goal of the Biden administration.

He affirmed “the number one geopolitical challenge to the United States is China.” He said China has become “increasingly nationalistic” with its crackdown on pro-democracy citizens in Hong Kong and Muslim Uyghurs in China's Xinjang Uyghur Autonomous Region.

Sullivan also underscored China's “unrelenting global ambitions” that extend from the South China Sea to the East China Sea and up to the Arctic with its vast untapped mineral wealth China desperately needs to grow its economy.

Sullivan said the U.S. needs “to be in lockstep with allies and partners” that share a common concern about China's territorial ambitions. He said the democracies comprising the future Quad means “we’re going to stand up for principle.” Quad will impose costs on China for flagrantly violating the sovereignty of other countries with its illegal maritime claims and for violating human rights at home and abroad.

Jake Sullivan

Technological superiority will be key to success against China, and Sullivan said the U.S. “needs to keep its technological edge” in artificial intelligence (AI) and quantum computing to show it remains a superpower and a model for economic development.

Quad, a 2017 initiative of former Japanese Prime Minister Abe Shinzo, intends to establish an "Asian arc of democracy." This arc will include countries in Central Asia, Mongolia, South Korea, Southeast Asia and "virtually all the countries on China's periphery -- except for China itself," according to Quad.

Over the weekend, the United Kingdom indicated its readiness to join Quad. The government of Prime Minister Boris Johnson has made no objections the UK joining Quad, according to British media citing credible government sources.

The UK is poised to join the Quad following a proposal from the Biden administration to expand the group’s membership as a counterweight to China.

China hawk Kurt Campbell, appointed Indo-Pacific coordinator at the National Security Council (NSC), put forward a position paper encouraging Asian countries to join Quad.

There is, as yet, no firm proposal on UK membership in the Quad for Johnson to review. On the other hand, Johnson previously highlighted the similarities between the UK’s foreign policy and the principles set out by Biden. (2 Feb. 2021)

 

Trump Was A Russian Asset For 40 Years, Claims Ex-KGB Spy

The Russians used Donald Trump for 40 years, transforming a narcissistic young businessman into a gullible asset whose pro-Russia stand as U.S. president delighted and even astonished the Kremlin.

Yuri Shvets, a former KGB spy, made these incredible revelations to The Guardian. He's also a key source of information in a new book, "American Kompromat," written by journalist Craig Unger.

“This is an example where people were recruited when they were just students and then they rose to important positions; something like that was happening with Trump,” said Shvets when speaking about Trump's recruitment as an asset by the KGB, the notorious spy agency of the former Soviet Union.

He said businessman Trump, who visited Moscow in 1987, was cultivated as a Russian asset over 40 years starting with his marriage to his first wife, Ivana Zelnickova, a Czech fashion model. He also said it was the Russians that first planted the idea in Trump's head that he should enter U.S. politics.

When Trump and Ivana visited Moscow and St. Petersburg for the first time in 1987, Trump was flattered by KGB operatives who floated the idea he should go into politics.

“For the KGB, it was a charm offensive," according to Shvets. "They had collected a lot of information on his personality so they knew who he was personally. The feeling was that he was extremely vulnerable intellectually, and psychologically, and he was prone to flattery."

It were these personality flaws the KGB exploited, said Shvets.

“This is what they exploited. They played the game as if they were immensely impressed by his personality and believed this is the guy who should be the president of the United States one day: it is people like him who could change the world. They fed him these so-called active measures soundbites and it happened. So it was a big achievement for the KGB active measures at the time.”

Witting Russian asset, Donald Trump.

The Russians even helped Trump's hotel business in the U.S. prosper. Shvets revealed when Trump opened his first big property development in 1990, the Grand Hyatt New York hotel, the Russians had one of their operatives posing as the owner of an electronics business sell him 200 TV sets on favorable terms.

Unger, the author of seven book, among which are "House of Trump, House of Putin," affirms Trump was a valuable tool for the Soviet Union.

“He was an asset. It was not this grand, ingenious plan that we’re going to develop this guy and 40 years later he’ll be president," said Unger. “At the time it started, which was around 1980, the Russians were trying to recruit like crazy and going after dozens and dozens of people.”

“Trump was the perfect target in a lot of ways: his vanity, narcissism made him a natural target to recruit. He was cultivated over a 40-year period, right up through his election.” (2 Feb. 2021)

China Seen As Customer For Russian MiG-41 Stealth Interceptor Jet

 China is being touted as a possible customer for the new Mikoyan MiG-41 which, if it enters service, will become the world's first stealth interceptor jet fighter.

The sixth generation stealth interceptor/heavy fighter designed by Mikoyan reached its development phase last week, announced Rostec Corporation, the state-owned holding company that owns Mikoyan's parent firm, United Aircraft Corporation (UAC).

Ilya Tarasenko, Director General of Mikoyan, said the first production and first flight of the MiG-41 might be completed in 2025. The interceptor is expected to enter service with the Russian Air Force in 2028.

China and India will likely want to cooperate in developing the MiG-41, with both countries becoming customers later on, claimed Ruslan Pukhov, director of the Center for Analysis of Strategies and Technologies. Pukhov pointed to India's role in helping develop Russia's first stealth fighter, the Sukhoi Su-57. India, however, later pulled out of the project, saying it didn't meet its requirements for stealth, combat avionics, radars and sensors.

The MiG-41 will replace the ageing Mikoyan MiG-31 supersonic jet interceptor that entered service with the defunct Soviet Air Defense Force in 1981.

Rostec claims the MiG-41 will have the capability to intercept and destroy incoming hypersonic missiles, and can launch anti-satellite missiles, as well. The MiG-41 will also be able to operate in Arctic conditions.

Mikoyan MiG-41 (artist's concept)

Russian state media said the MiG-41 is envisioned as an interceptor of U.S. hypersonic missiles. In this role, the MiG-41 will deploy a multifunctional long-range interceptor missile system (MPKR DP) dispensing sub-missiles to increase the chance of intercepting hypersonic glide missiles.

To pursue its speedy prey, the MiG-41 will be capable of a maximum speed of Mach 4.9 (6,100 km/h), and will have a cruising speed of Mach 2.4 (3,000 km/h). It will be able to operate in near-space altitudes with its service ceiling estimated at 45,000 meters (28 miles or 148,000 feet).

Some Western defense analysts, however, doubt if Russia has the money and resources to develop another sophisticated weapon such as the MiG-41.

Douglas Barrie of the International Institute for Strategic Studies doubts Russia “will be able to develop, manufacture and introduce into service (the jet) in anything like the purported time frame.”

He said Russia’s aerospace sector is already committed to numerous projects. These include further development of the Su-75, upgrading the Sukhoi Su-34 fighter-bomber/strike fighter, and modernizing the outdated Tu-160 Blackjack, Tu-22M Backfire and Tu-95 bombers.

“Some would argue that the sector has already more than enough to try to manage without the additional or a project potentially as complex as a new heavy interceptor, or indeed whether there would be realistic levels of funding for a program,” said Barrie. (Jan. 31, 2021)

PLAAF Simulated Attack On U.S. Navy Carrier Last Week

The U.S. Navy said the unprecedented intrusion of large numbers of People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) combat aircraft into Taiwanese airspace on Jan. 23 and 24 was part of a drill simulating an attack on one of its carrier strike groups.

It said the two missions involving 28 PLAAF jet fighters, strategic bombers and anti-submarine aircraft were timed to coincide with a transit of the waters off Taiwanese-controlled Pratas Island southwest of Taiwan by the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) and its Carrier Strike Group 9.

The U.S Indo-Pacific Command said that on January 23, “the Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group (TRCSG) entered the South China Sea January 23 to conduct routine operations.”

It said while in the South China Sea, "the strike group is conducting maritime security operations, which include flight operations with fixed and rotary-wing aircraft, maritime strike exercises, and coordinated tactical training between surface and air units."

A Navy official said the PLAAF aircraft did not come within 250 nautical miles (460 km) of the Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group.

Regional security and diplomatic sources said the PLAAF was dispatched on missions on the morning of January 23, coinciding with the Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group passing south of Pratas.

“They purposely conducted the drills when the U.S. carrier was passing through the Bashi Channel,” according to one source.

“That was not just meant for Taiwan. Most importantly, China is trying to tackle the issue of the South China Sea: it wants to stop the U.S. military from entering the South China Sea. China wants to diminish the United States’ weight in the western Pacific.”

USS Theodore Roosevelt

On January 23, 13 PLAAF warplanes intruded into the southwest corner of Taiwan's air defense identification zone (ADIZ). The PLAAF repeated the incursion on Sunday when a larger force of 15 planes entered the same area.

Fighter planes of the Republic of China Air Force (ROCAf) were scrambled to intercept and monitor both PLAAF forays. Taiwan's surface-to-air missile batteries also tracked the intruders.

Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense (MND) said the number of PLAAF aircraft were the largest deployed in single sorties so far this year. The intruders consisted of Shenyang J-16 air superiority fighters, Xian H-6K nuclear-capable strategic bombers and Shaanxi Y-8 anti-submarine aircraft.

The Saturday daylight sortie consisted of one Y-8, four J-16s and eight H-6K bombers. The intruders flew at altitudes ranging from 2,500 to 7,800 meters.

What makes the weekend PLAAF sorties unique is the presence of J-16 fighters. Previous incursions mostly involved Y-8s and other unarmed reconnaissance aircraft. (Jan. 31, 2021)

UK Poised To Join Anti-China 'Quad,' Or 'Asian NATO' Alliance

The global military pushback against China's expansionism in the Indo-Pacific is accelerating, with the United Kingdom now indicating its readiness to join a de facto military alliance of democracies being called the "Asian NATO."

British media citing credible government sources said the administration of Prime Minister Boris Johnson has made no objections the UK join the "Quadrilateral Security Dialogue," or QSD, better known as Quad.

Quad, a 2017 initiative of former Japanese Prime Minister Abe Shinzo, will establish an "Asian arc of democracy." This arc will include countries in Central Asia, Mongolia, South Korea, Southeast Asia and "virtually all the countries on China's periphery -- except for China itself," according to Quad.

Quad has been called the "Asian NATO" due to the breadth of its membership. It's long been anticipated Quad will eventually transform into a military alliance. The original members of Quad are Japan, India, the United States and Australia.

The UK is poised to join the Quad following a proposal from the Biden administration to expand the group’s membership as a counterweight to China.

China hawk Kurt Campbell, appointed Indo-Pacific coordinator at the National Security Council (NSC) only last week, has put forward a position paper encouraging Asian countries to join the Quad.

There are, as yet, no firm proposals on UK membership in the Quad for Johnson to review. On the other hand, Johnson previously highlighted the similarities between the UK’s foreign policy and the principles set out by Biden.

Kurt Campbell

Campbell formerly served as Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs under the Obama administration. He was one of the architects of Obama's "Pivot to Asia," or East Asia Strategy.

This strategy called for strengthening bilateral security alliances; deepening America's working relationships with emerging powers (including China) and advancing democracy and human rights, among others.

As Biden's Indo-Pacific Coordinator, or "Asia Tzar," Campbell will have broad management over NSC directorates responsible for China-related issues and parts of Asia.

He's expected to adapt the Pivot to Asia strategy to deal with the new strategic situation created by ex-president Donald Trump's confrontational strategic competition against China.

Campbell reports directly to national security adviser Jake Sullivan, a close friend whom he worked with at the Department of State during the Clinton administration.

Campbell and Sullivan made their thoughts known about how to deal with China in late 2019 in a joint essay for the magazine, Foreign Affairs, with the title, “Competition Without Catastrophe: How America Can Both Challenge and Coexist With China.”

In this article, they dismissed the failed strategy that sought to engage China in hopes China will liberalize. Instead, they argue competition against China must revolve around the goal of coexisting with China rather than expecting to change it. (Jan. 31, 2021)