US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on his first full day in office on Tuesday warned jointly with Japan, India and Australia against coercive actions in Asia, in an apparent warning to China over its actions at sea.
Rubio met in Washington with his counterparts from the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) a day after the inauguration of US President Donald Trump, who has vowed to push back against China.
Rubio and his counterparts from the three other nations in a joint statement promised to work toward a “free and open Indo-Pacific” region.
Photo: AFP
The four said they support a region “where the rule of law, democratic values, sovereignty and territorial integrity are upheld and defended.”
“We also strongly oppose any unilateral actions that seek to change the status quo by force or coercion,” the statement said.
The ministers confirmed they would work to hold a Quad summit previously scheduled for this year in India, which would mean an early trip by Trump to the ally.
Rubio also met separately with each minister.
With Japanese Minister of Foreign Affairs Takeshi Iwaya, Rubio discussed North Korea and “joint efforts against China’s destabilizing actions,” US Department of State spokeswoman Tammy Bruce said.
China has had rising friction with the Philippines, a US ally, as it stakes claims in territorial disputes.
Rubio in his confirmation hearing also vowed to deter China against an invasion of Taiwan.
Rubio, a three-term senator who a day earlier was unanimously confirmed by his peers, arrived at the state department with a promise to defend US diplomats and pursuing Trump’s “America first” policies.
“I expect every nation on Earth to advance their national interests. And in those instances — and I hope there will be many — in which our national interests and theirs align, we look forward to working with them,” Rubio said.
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