The State Department recently disbanded its critical office focused on Indo-Pacific security, leading to the termination of top experts on the South China Sea. This change occurs against the backdrop of ongoing tensions with China, which has aggressively pursued territorial claims and military buildup in the region. American officials, including Pentagon leaders, emphasize the importance of maintaining free navigation and countering China's influence, asserting these issues are vital to U.S. interests. The cuts come amid a broader reorganization impacting over 1,300 government positions, with concerns about lost diplomatic engagement and coordinated responses to China's aggression.
"China's actions undermine peace and stability in the region. The evidence for this is their growing willingness to use force to achieve their objectives--as seen in the South China Sea and around Taiwan while also undertaking a massive and unprecedented military buildup."
"The Office of Multilateral Affairs within the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs managed U.S. engagement with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), coordinated diplomatic response to China's aggression in the South China Sea and oversaw the Mekong River region."
Collection
[
|
...
]