Mon Sep 23 15:02:38 UTC 2024: ## Biden Caught on Hot Mic Criticizing China’s “Aggressive” Actions in Indo-Pacific
**Wilmington, Delaware:** US President Joe Biden was caught on a hot mic during a Quad summit with the leaders of India, Japan, and Australia, making critical remarks about China’s actions in the Indo-Pacific region.
Biden stated that Chinese President Xi Jinping is “looking to buy himself some diplomatic space” while “aggressively pursuing China’s interests.” He further claimed that China “continues to behave aggressively, testing us all across the region,” specifically mentioning the South China Sea, East China Sea, South Asia, and the Taiwan Straits.
While the Quad leaders did not directly mention China in their joint declaration, they expressed concerns over Beijing’s growing influence in the region. China has been involved in territorial disputes in the South China Sea and East China Sea, which have been a source of tension in the region.
A senior Biden administration official sought to downplay the remarks, stating that “there was no need to elaborate” on them and that “our inside voice matches our outside voice.”
China has previously labeled the Quad as an “Asia-Pacific version of NATO,” accusing it of seeking to contain Chinese influence and encouraging Japan and South Korea to interfere in “China’s internal affairs.”
First Piper 