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Faced with the prospect of the Indo-Pacific region becoming China's sphere of influence, the U.S. is coercing more of its allies into forming a united front against a rising China.
Nevertheless, the U.S.' move has many fearing the escalating tensions in the aforementioned region might sow the seeds of a new Cold War and a divided world.
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Only cooler heads prevail.
That's what the U.N. Secretary-General said last week to entreat U.S. President Joe Biden and President Xi Jinping to stop gritting their teeth and repair their "completely dysfunctional" relationship.
All the same, neither of them has proffered an olive branch, which insinuates both of them are not seeking to de-escalate tensions in the Indo-Pacific region at this juncture.
Be that as it may, as the U.N. General Assembly opened on Tuesday, both leaders chose not to perturb the public via using calming language.
Representing America, President Biden reiterated that America is not seeking a new Cold War, nor a world divided into rigid blocs. He added America is not attempting to whip up anti-China sentiment.
Speaking by way of video link, China's President Xi Jinping told the forum that China has never and will never take to invading or bullying others, or seek hegemony, and will continue to eschew violence and war.
However, China is now building up its military outposts. A move many deemed a retaliatory step against the U.S. and its allies' deepening military cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.
Indeed, Biden is slated to preside over an in-person Quadrilateral Security Dialogue on Friday with the leaders of Japan, India and Australia. Not only will the Dialogue encompass talks regarding COVID and climate change, it will also feature talks as to how the countries can keep the vast Indo-Pacific region "free and open".
This, as a drama involving the U.S., Australia and France continues to play out. France has clamoured for an explanation since Australia cancelled a 66 billion USD deal with France for diesel-powered submarines, prompting Paris to recall its ambassadors to Washington and Canberra.
The dramatic developments had many casting doubt on the U.S.' and its allies' commitment to unity against the assertive China.
China has also bristled at Britain's and the U.S.' move to help Canberra construct nuclear-powered submarines, calling it "highly irresponsible", and that it would run the risk of seriously damaging regional peace and stability.
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