China ‘Spies on All of Us,’ Biden Says at Indo-Pacific Summit

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(Bloomberg) – President Joe Biden was caught on a hot microphone saying that China is “testing” the US and its allies in the Indo-Pacific region during the Quad leaders’ summit – as members of the bloc in their public comments dismissed the idea. they are a counterweight to Chinese influence.

The leaders of the Quad, Biden and prime minister Narendra Modi of India, Fumio Kishida of Japan and Anthony Albanese of Australia, began their meeting with warm words for their colleagues and no mention of their regional rival. Once the reporters were ushered out of the room, they turned to their first topic: China.

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“We believe that Xi Jinping is looking to focus on domestic economic challenges and reduce unrest in China,” Biden told leaders of his Chinese counterpart in his opening speech on Saturday, part of which was published by the official audio feed in an apparent error. Biden added that Xi is “looking to buy himself a diplomatic position, in my opinion, to pursue China’s interests.”

“China continues to be aggressive, testing us throughout the region” in many areas, “including economic and technological issues,” Biden said. “At the same time, we believe that greater competition requires stronger negotiations.”

The White House National Security Council did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the audio.

The summit comes in the waning months of Biden’s presidency – and Kishida’s presidency – and as the US makes a series of moves aimed at countering China’s influence. It includes finalizing new tariffs on certain industries, such as electric vehicles, while reducing e-commerce exports and steel and aluminum entering the US via Mexico.

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Earlier: Biden Finalizes China Moves as He Hosts His Final Quad Summit

The Quad meeting, while not focused solely on China, fits into that overall push. Biden cited National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan’s recent visit to China in his remarks before the lunch break.

“We’ve made some gains in the US-China relationship that’s important bilateral relations,” Biden said.

Leaders and officials publicly downplayed the idea that the summit was centered on Beijing.

“China is not the focus of the Quad and the Quad is not about one country, it’s about the big idea that we’re trying to work towards,” Sullivan told reporters earlier Saturday.

In the public opening speech that started the meeting, the leaders avoided talking about China but talked about the turmoil in the region.

“We are not against anyone,” said Modi. “We all support an international order based on rules, respecting sovereignty and territorial integrity and resolving all disputes peacefully.”

Albanese said the promise of the Indo-Pacific region “depends on continued peace and stability, and the wise management of strategic competition and conflicts.”

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Health, Climate Actions

In a joint statement, the leaders announced a number of joint efforts with the Quad Cancer Moonshot taking up a large area, an effort to collaborate and save lives from cancer in the region. It will initially focus on cervical cancer.

Regarding maritime security, the leaders announced a training program to provide tools to help nations “monitor and protect their waters, enforce their laws, and deter illegal behavior.” The US Coast Guard, Japan Coast Guard, Australian Border Force, and Indian Coast Guard will begin a surveillance program next year to “enhance cooperation and enhance maritime security,” according to the statement.

Another initiative, the Quad Ports of the Future Partnership, aims to support “the development of a sustainable and robust port infrastructure” in the region. The leaders discussed a range of issues, including the North Korean threat, US officials said, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss the confidential meetings.

The group pledged deeper cooperation on climate and clean energy issues, including funding to support solar projects and diversifying supply chains. Leaders also provide funding for joint research to use artificial intelligence and robotics to improve agriculture.

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Profit awaits the Quad, with Kishida leaving, Biden following in January and Albanese facing elections next year. Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump has long been wary of American alliances that he thinks are over, but leaders have dismissed questions about whether the Quad can survive.

“It will survive beyond November – beyond November,” Biden told reporters. Albanese said he is “absolutely confident” that the Quad will endure. “All four nations are committed to the Quad,” he told reporters.

The home of the Bidens

The conference includes a personal touch by Biden. He hosted each of the three prime ministers personally at his home in Wilmington, Delaware, where he had never hosted his fellow presidents, before taking them to a meeting at his old school.

The meeting started in a friendly atmosphere.

Modi called Biden “Amtrak Joe,” a nickname he picked up as a commuter during his time in the US Senate, while Biden called Kishida “my best friend.”

Albanese and Biden joked that their principals would be shocked if they saw them at a school conference.

At one point, Biden was heard telling the Australian prime minister: “If we’re bored, we can go down to the bowling alley.”

(Revisions to add information from the joint statement in paragraphs 14 through 19.)

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