ADADCombined, the visits are meant to set an early tone for the Biden administration for its dealings in the Pacific, as the president seeks to reorient the United States away from 20 years of war with radical Islamist groups in Afghanistan, Iraq and beyond. Davidson did not speak to the media, but other senior defense officials highlighted actions by China that have given them pause, even as it remains unclear what Beijing plans to do. ADA second senior defense official said that China also has regularly launched fighter jets near Taiwan, prompting Taiwan to scramble planes to respond. ADQuestions about China’s intentions focus in part on the Senkaku Islands, a chain that is administered by Japan but claimed by China, which calls them Diaoyu. A third senior defense official said there is “increased Chinese presence, both in terms of their military presence and coast guard presence” around the islands.

Source: Washington Post March 15, 2021 13:38 UTC