Blinken: "Response to China, North Korea, Iran, and Russia Possible Only with Allies"

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] Tony Blinken, the nominee for U.S. Secretary of State, emphasized on the 19th (local time) the need to restore America's leading role and revitalize alliances to better respond not only to competition with China and Russia but also to threats from North Korea and Iran.

According to the opening remarks obtained in advance by CNN ahead of the Senate confirmation hearing on the 19th (local time), Blinken stated that upon taking office, he would lead U.S. diplomacy to address the most urgent challenges by cooperating with governments and partners worldwide.

Blinken said, "Even if everything changes, American leadership remains important," and pointed out that if the U.S. does not engage and lead, other countries will take its place in ways that do not promote U.S. interests or values, or no country will engage, resulting in chaos.

He said the U.S. has the ability to mobilize other countries more than anyone else on the planet for the greater good, adding, "Guided by these principles, we can overcome the pandemic." He also said, "We can become superior in competition with China."

He stated, "We can revitalize key alliances," and "Together, we will be in a much better position to respond to threats posed by Russia, Iran, and North Korea and to defend democracy and human rights."