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Transcript/ScriptSLUG: BLINKEN-PACIFIC
HEADLINE: Blinken Boosts Indo-Pacific Ties, Keeps Up Ukraine Diplomacy
TEASER: US seeks to shift to primary focus on Asia and Indo-Pacific, but threat of Russian invasion of Ukraine demands attention
PUBLISHED AT: 2/10/2022 at 8:22P
BYLINE: Cindy Saine
CONTRIBUTOR:
DATELINE:
VIDEOGRAPHER: Nike Ching
PRODUCER:
SCRIPT EDITORS: Jepsen, Reifenrath, DJ(OK)
VIDEO SOURCE (S): Nike Ching video, Saine Skype video interviews, AP, AFP, Reuters
PLATFORMS (mark with X): WEB __ TV _x_ RADIO __
TRT: 2:40
VID APPROVED BY: Reifenrath
TYPE:
EDITOR NOTES: Please note Mandatory Skype courtesies for the Brian Harding and Michael Kugelman soundbites))
((INTRO:))
[[U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is in Australia for talks on security and fighting COVID-19. But the massing of Russian troops along Ukraine's border has also cast a spotlight on the growing partnership between China and Russia. VOA's senior diplomatic correspondent Cindy Saine reports.]]
((NARRATOR))
Secretary of State Antony Blinken, like other top U.S. diplomats before him, has said the U.S. wants to shift its foreign policy focus to Asia and the Indo-Pacific region. Experts say his visit to Australia and Fiji at this crisis moment sends a strong signal.
((Brian Harding, United States Institute of Peace))
((Mandatory Skype Logo))
“I mean, it says a lot that Secretary Blinken is in Melbourne, Australia, meeting with Japanese, Indian and Australian counterparts when you have a crisis brewing in Eastern Europe. And I think one of the big points here is that the United States is going to continue to be focused primarily, as the primary center of gravity for U.S. foreign policy, on the Asia-Pacific, the Indo-Pacific region, even when the crises that might drag us away, some of our time and attention, from time to time.”
((NARRATOR))
On Friday, Blinken will meet with leaders of the Quad countries — the United States, Australia, Japan and India. Experts say a joint initiative to fight COVID-19 tops the agenda.
((Michael Kugelman, Wilson Center))
((Mandatory Skype Logo))
“This is something that the four sides have been working on for quite some time, which essentially entails India producing COVID vaccines, the U.S. and Japan paying for them, and Australia helping with the logistics to ensure that they're distributed throughout Asia. And this initiative, like everything else through the Quad, is meant to counter China. It's meant to push back against China's own vaccine production distribution and vaccine diplomacy in the Indo-Pacific region.”
((NARRATOR))
Last week, Chinese President Xi Jinping welcomed Russian President Vladimir Putin to Beijing, hours before the opening of the Beijing Winter Olympics.
[[No Access Russia]] Both leaders criticized what they called negative U.S. influence, both in Europe and in the Indo-Pacific, and analysts took notice.
((Michael Kugelman, Wilson Center))
((Mandatory Skype Logo))
“China is probably at this point in time Russia's most dependable and trusted ally in the sense that if Russia were to actually invade Ukraine, and if it were to go to war in Ukraine, it would look to China to help it out, particularly in terms of providing economic support, given all of the sanctions that would come out against Russia.”
((NARRATOR))
On the other side of the world, Russia’s massive joint military drills with Belarus are further heightening tensions. Here's Russia Defense Ministry footage of heavy Russian missile systems, tanks and guns.
Blinken continued his diplomatic push to deter a Russian invasion while traveling, speaking with French and NATO leaders.
Cindy Saine, VOA News
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
NetworkVOA
Embargo DateFebruary 10, 2022 21:05 EST
BylineCindy Saine
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
