Quad's First In-Person Summit Emphasizes "Free and Open Indo-Pacific"

Agreed to Cooperate in COVID-19 Vaccines, Eco-Friendly Energy, and Space Sectors

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoonju Hwang] The leaders of the 'Quad'?a consultative body known for countering China, consisting of the United States, Japan, India, and Australia?held their first in-person meeting and collectively emphasized a free and open Indo-Pacific. The phrase "free and open Indo-Pacific" is a common expression used by Western countries when countering China.

On the 24th (local time), U.S. President Joe Biden invited Quad member leaders Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga of Japan, Prime Minister Scott Morrison of Australia, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India to the White House for a four-party summit.

This was the first face-to-face summit since their virtual meeting in March. The meeting resulted from the United States intensifying its Indo-Pacific strategy to counter China, joined by the other three countries, which have experienced various conflicts with China.

The leaders all emphasized the "free and open Indo-Pacific" as if by mutual agreement.

In his opening remarks, President Biden said, "When we met six months ago, we made concrete commitments to advance a shared positive agenda for a free and open Indo-Pacific," adding, "Today, I am proud to say that excellent progress has been made."

Prime Minister Morrison stressed that the Indo-Pacific should be a region free from coercion, where sovereignty is respected, and disputes are peacefully resolved in accordance with international law. These remarks are widely seen as directed at China.

After the meeting, Prime Minister Suga told reporters that the Quad leaders agreed to hold annual meetings, indicating an agreement to regularize the summit.

He also stated that they agreed to cooperate in areas such as COVID-19 vaccines, clean energy, and space. Much of the content in the joint statement is interpreted as an intention to counter China's expanding influence in the international community and its economic territorial expansion.

Meanwhile, the meeting took place amid strong Chinese opposition following the announcement on the 15th by the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia of the launch of AUKUS, a trilateral security alliance aimed at countering China. The Quad parties emphasize that the Quad is not aimed at any specific country but is a gathering of democratic nations pursuing universal values such as a free and open Indo-Pacific.