During a Quad summit, US President Joe Biden was caught on a hot mic telling leaders from Australia, India, and Japan that China is “testing us,” as reported by The Guardian. His remarks, made during a farewell meeting in Wilmington, Delaware, could overshadow the group’s carefully coordinated declaration, which avoided directly mentioning China.
Biden expressed concerns over China’s aggressive actions, citing areas such as the South China Sea, East China Sea, South Asia, and the Taiwan Straits. His comments were meant to be private but reveal growing tensions in the Indo-Pacific region, as Beijing’s behavior continues to challenge the Quad.
Biden also noted that Chinese President Xi Jinping is preoccupied with “domestic economic challenges” but is still working to create “diplomatic space” to advance China’s interests. Despite these tensions, Biden stressed that recent diplomatic efforts, including a call with Xi in April, have helped reduce the risk of conflict.
These candid remarks could hinder the Quad’s diplomatic focus, which aims to highlight broader strategic goals beyond countering China. In a joint statement following the summit, the four leaders refrained from mentioning China by name, though they voiced concerns about tensions in the East and South China Seas, condemning “coercive and intimidating maneuvers.”
Adding to the uncertainty surrounding the summit is the upcoming US presidential election, with Biden facing a close race. Despite this, he reassured the Quad leaders that the alliance would persist regardless of the political outcome, confidently asserting that the Quad will remain a lasting force.
