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((PLAYBOOK SLUG: BIDEN JAPAN (TV/RADIO)
HEADLINE: On Asia Trip, Biden Takes Tough Stance on China
TEASER: Biden tries to show an economic, military alternative in Asia
PUBLISHED AT: Monday, 05/23/2022 at 8:20am
BYLINE: William Gallo
DATELINE: SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA
VIDEOGRAPHER:
PRODUCER:
SCRIPT EDITORS: pcd, Salem Solomon
VIDEO SOURCES: Reuters, AFP, Zoom
PLATFORMS: WEB __ TV X RADIO __
TRT: 2:09
VID APPROVED BY: MAS
TYPE: TVPKG/RADIO
EDITOR NOTES: This story can also work as a radio package))
((INTRO))
[[U.S. President Joe Biden took an assertive stance toward China as he continued his two-country tour of Northeast Asia on Monday. It’s part of an effort to demonstrate the U.S. is committed both economically and militarily to the region, as VOA’s Bill Gallo reports from Seoul, South Korea.]]
((NARRATOR))
Alongside his Japanese counterpart in Tokyo, Joe Biden gave a direct answer when asked if the U.S. would defend Taiwan in the event of a Chinese invasion.
((President Joe Biden))
“Yes.”
Reporter: “You are?”
“That’s a commitment we made. That’s a commitment we made.”
((NARRATOR))
It is Biden’s latest move away from the “strategic ambiguity” the U.S. has long adopted on the issue.
China views democratic Taiwan as a breakaway province and vows to retake it, by force, if necessary. Its foreign ministry condemned Biden’s comments.
((Wang Wenbin, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson)) ((In Mandarin, male voice))
“No one should underestimate the firm resolve, staunch will and strong ability of the Chinese people in defending national sovereignty and territorial integrity. Don’t stand in opposition to 1.4 billion Chinese people.”
((NARRATOR))
China has been a focus of Biden’s stop in Tokyo, and on more than just military issues.
On Monday, Biden unveiled the beginnings of an initiative meant to demonstrate U.S. economic engagement in Asia. So far, 12 Asian countries have agreed to join the talks — an impressive figure, says Derek Grossman of the RAND Corporation.
((Derek Grossman, RAND Corporation))
“I think the administration did a pretty good job to be honest to get a wide array of different countries with different economic systems, different political systems, on board for IPEF.”
((NARRATOR))
But critics say there isn’t yet enough substance to the framework and point out it’s not binding.
((Derek Grossman, RAND Corporation))
“On the other side of the ledger the Chinese are certainly codifying those arrangements. And that I think is problematic when the U.S. is not doing so. If we’re in this, quote unquote extreme competition with China, what they’re doing is not what we’re doing. And it seems like they’re doing a better job of it.”
((NARRATOR))
Before Biden heads home, on Tuesday he’ll participate in a meeting of the Quad, a regional grouping of democracies that is widely seen in part as an attempt to contain China.
((Bill Gallo, VOA News, Seoul, South Korea))
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
NetworkVOA
Embargo DateMay 23, 2022 08:20 EDT
BylineWilliam Gallo
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
