U.S.’ South China Sea policy: The first steps under presidency of Joe Biden

Occupation: Junior research fellow
Affiliation: Institute of World Economy and International Relations Russian Academy of Sciences
Address: Russian Federation, Moscow

Journal name

Asia and Africa Today

Edition

Issue 12

Pages

12-19

Abstract

The South China Sea conflict is still the «hot - spot» of the Asia-Pacific. In this article special attention is paid to the position of the United States in the South China Sea conflict under the presidency of Joe Biden.

US national interests in the South China Sea are shaped by the American desire to maintain its geopolitical dominance in the Asia-Pacific region and prevent the growth of any hostile power. Today, the South China Sea is the world's most important water area, control over which gives an economic and military advantage. In 2020 the United States officially declared the PRC a "country whose actions are aimed at revising the international order" and a "strategic rival". The United States believes that Beijing's policy of creating and militarizing outposts in the SCS allegedly jeopardizes free trade, threatens the sovereignty of other countries, and undermines regional stability. Moreover, the United States blames China for trying to use the pandemic as a way to achieve its goals in the South China Sea.

The first steps taken by Joe Biden administration clearly indicate Washington’s continuation of previous American hard line in South China Sea. Despite the change in presidential administrations, the United States continues to actively engage US Navy warships as part of operations to protect freedom of navigation, using them as a tool to contain China. In addition, the new administration is actively building an informal anti-Chinese coalition in the region, using both bilateral ties with allies and multilateral platforms, primarily NATO, Quad and AUKUS.

Keywords

Asia-Pacific, South China Sea, territorial dispute, US Foreign Policy, Freedom of Navigation, Law of the Sea

Acknowledgment

The article was prepared within the project “Post-crisis World Order: Challenges and Technologies, Competition and Cooperation" supported by the grant from Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation Program for Research Projects in Priority Areas of Scientific and Technological Development (Agreement № 075-15-2020-783).

Received

14.08.2021

Publication date

08.12.2021

Number of characters

25418

Cite

GOST	Mishin I. U.S.’ South China Sea policy: The first steps under presidency of Joe Biden // Asia and Africa Today – 2021. – Issue 12 C. 12-19 [Electronic resource]. URL: https://asaf-today.ru/S032150750017800-2-1 (circulation date: 05.05.2024). DOI: 10.31857/S032150750017800-2
MLA	Mishin, Igor O "U.S.’ South China Sea policy: The first steps under presidency of Joe Biden." Asia and Africa Today 12 (2021):12-19. DOI: 10.31857/S032150750017800-2
APA	Mishin I. (2021). U.S.’ South China Sea policy: The first steps under presidency of Joe Biden. Asia and Africa Today (12), pp.12-19 DOI: 10.31857/S032150750017800-2

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