Blinken heads to Asia amid China’s assertiveness in Indo-Pacific region, Ukraine crisis

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday heed for Asia-Pacific to reinforce Washington's continued focus against China's expansive policies and reassess mounting crisis in Ukraine. Taking to Twitter, Blinken informed that his trip is aimed to shore up regional partnerships in face of compounded issues in eastern and western Asian flanks. meeting will also include discussions on trilateral AUKUS pact, which confirmed purchase of 8 nuclear-powered submarines by Australia.

visit to East will begin with Blinken paying a visit at Melbourne for three days, where he will meet foreign ministers of QU, a strategic security dialogue between US, Japan, India, and Australia. grouping is currently expected to become a bulwark against Beijing's aggressive expansionist behaviour for maximum dominance in Indo-Pacific region. Blinken will also engage in discussions with Australian PM Scott Morrison on sidelines of QU meet, where y are to seek development on AUKUS pact, which also includes Britain.

Blinken to discuss Ukraine crisis with QU members

State Secretary's visit comes hours after Washington held a press conference with top European Union (EU) officials, seeking a United front on imminent threat of an attack and annexation of ex-Soviet nation. For a recap, tensions, which existed from 2014 between Ukraine and Russia escalated after Russia began troop build-up along eastern region of Ukraine, Donbas region. Currently, at least 1,35,000 troops are amassed along border, sparking speculations of invasion of Kyiv "any time soon," US National Security visor (NSA) Jake Sullivan h said on Sunday.

After Australia, Blinken will land in Fiji to discuss bilateral ties with a number of leers around Pacific Island -- many of who are reportedly being manipulated by China. " key message that secretary will take with him on this trip is that our partnerships deliver," said Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel Kritenbrink, as quoted in a press release by White House. Meanwhile, US intelligence officials updated that Russia has continued to engage in military exercises replicating combat and increased its firepower by large amounts in east European borders. Noting developments, State Secretary during his Monday briefing stressed that "This is not alarmism. This is simply facts." 

US to push back on Beijing's assertiveness in Indo-Pacific 

Speaking at a press briefing, Kritenbrink on Monday asserted that Blinken's visit will also affirm US' long-term commitment to and investment in Indo-Pacific. Referring to tightening of bond between Russia and China, Kritenbrink highlighted that "it is fair to say that meeting between Russian President Vlimir Putin and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping...reflects an approach that both countries have alrey taken for some time, namely, to move closer toger." However, he ded, " meeting should have provided China opportunity to encourage Russia to pursue diplomacy and de-escalation in Ukraine... If Russia furr inves Ukraine and China look or way, it suggests that China is willing to tolerate or tactically support Russia's efforts to coerce Ukrainian when y embarrassed Beijing, harm European security and risk global peace and economic stability."

Speaking on American policy on Taiwan, Kritenbrink emphasised that Washington upholds its stance on "One China Policy" based on Taiwan Relations Act and is committed to maintaining peace and stability across Strait.

(Image: AP)