China "tests us" — Biden at the QUAD Summit.

US President Joe Biden informed the leaders of Australia, India, and Japan at the QUAD group summit that China is "testing us." Such comments, although risky, did not appear in the official joint statement, which avoids direct mention of Beijing, reports The Guardian.

Biden made these comments during the opening of the summit in Wilmington with the Prime Ministers of India, Japan, and Australia. He noted that China continues to behave aggressively and tests the US and other countries in the Asia-Pacific region, including the South China Sea, East China Sea, South Asia, and the Taiwan Strait.

Although Biden's words were on a recorded microphone and were supposed to be "behind closed doors," they still became known.

The US President noted that China, although focused on its internal problems, is trying to gain diplomatic space to advance its interests. At the same Time, Biden stressed that recent US efforts aimed at reducing tensions are helping to prevent conflicts.

After the summit, the leaders of the four countries issued a joint statement in which they do not directly mention China but express concern about tensions in the East and South China Seas. The statement condemns "intimidation and coercion maneuvers" in the South China Sea but does not specify whose "maneuvers" are being referred to.

The QUAD leaders emphasize maintaining the region as "free and open" and talk about geopolitical "challenges."

The summit is overshadowed by the US presidential elections, where Biden is competing with former President Trump. Nevertheless, Biden and Indian Prime Minister Modi assured that QUAD will remain active regardless of the political situation in the US.

Source: ZN.UA