World enews: VP Harris condemns ‘disturbing’ Chinese actions in the Pacific

“We will continue to oppose any unilateral change to the status quo,” she said. “And we will continue to support Taiwan’s self-defense, consistent with our long-standing policy. Taiwan is a vibrant democracy that contributes to the global good — from technology to health, and beyond, and the United States will continue to deepen our unofficial ties.”

Wang Wenbin, spokesman at the Chinese foreign ministry, told a regular media briefing that the United States needed to return to the one China policy and “unequivocally make clear that it opposes all Taiwan separatist activities.”

Harris’ trip to Japan, Washington’s closest regional ally, was meant to reassure allies and deter any escalation.

Aides said Harris would work on a unified approach in a region where leaders have warily watched rising tension between the United States and China.

The base where Harris spoke is home to 24,000 military and civilian workers who could be called on in a regional conflict. It’s also the home of the USS Ronald Reagan, an aircraft carrier now in South Korea to participate in joint drills meant to deter North Korea. Harris will visit the demilitarized zone separating the Koreas on Thursday.

On Tuesday, Harris led Biden’s bipartisan U.S. delegation to the state funeral of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who nudged the country away from the pacifist doctrine it adopted after being defeated in World War Two.

Biden is expected to hold his first face-to-face meeting as president with China’s Xi Jinping during November’s Group of 20 meeting in Indonesia.

Before Harris spoke to the U.S. service members, she stepped below deck and was given a demonstration of the warship’s missile and anti-submarine capabilities.

A commander pointed at a digital map showing a hypothetical enemy, a “hostile country” he declined to identify.

“It’s not Guam,” he explained, referring to the Pacific territory.