Resist US-led Wars and Militarism in the Asia Pacific

WE are aware of the first visit by US President Joe Biden to Asia, specifically to the Republic of Korea and Japan this coming May 20-24, 2022. We are aware of the key agenda of the said visit: on the Peoples Republic of China, the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea, as well as the summit for the QUAD countries, involving Australia, India and Japan.

We are aware that this visit is in tune with the Indo-Pacific strategic pivot of the US initiated by then US President Barack Obama, continued by then US President Donald Trump, and now being reinforced by President Biden.

With great anxiety, we are aware that such visit by President Biden - especially with the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, US-China trade war, and the shifting defense policy of Japan - is re-kindling the embers of war in the region.

Ensuring economic interest in the region: The US profit-motive

We empahsize that the economy is the key driver for the US shift to the Indo-Pacific. During Obama presidency, the three largest populations in the world is found in Asia Pacific, counting 2.2 billion people in China, India and Indonesia. The world’s busiest trade corridors would also be in Asia Pacific, namely: 33% of bulk cargo and 66% of all oil shipments passing through nine of the world’s 10 largest ports in the region including those in Shanghai, HongKong, Singapore and Busan. The region accounts for 30% of global gross domestic product (GDP). US direct investments in the region amount to US$651 billion. US debt to China and Japan in 2013 amounted to US$1.27 trillion and US$1.2 trillion, respectively.

This time around, according to the Indo-Pacific Strategy of the United States dated February 2022 adopted by President Biden, Asia-Pacific accounts for over half of the world’s population, with 60% of the global GDP, while 2/3 of global economic growth is expected to happen in the region. US direct investment in Asia Pacific in 2020 is around 970B USD.

We are cognizant that the Biden Presidency has reiterated in their strategic paper that under his presidency “... the United States is determined to strengthen our long-term position in and commitment to the Indo-Pacific,” and that “...in a quickly changing strategic landscape, we recognize that American interests can only be advanced if we firmly anchor the United States in the Indo-Pacific”.

China, DPRK containment: The US hegemon in a multi-polar world

We have taken stock of the the Biden presidency plans for the region. The US “... will focus on every corner of the region, from Northeast Asia and Southeast Asia, to South Asia and Oceania, including the Pacific Islands. This intensifying American focus is due in part to the fact that the Indo-Pacific faces mounting challenges, particularly from the PRC.” The US objective on China is stated as “... to shape the strategic environment in which it operates, building a balance in the world that is maximally favorable to the United States...” DPRK is explicitly mentioned in the strategy paper, with the US stating that “DPRK continues to expand it illicity nuclear weapons and missile programs.”

We are aware of the white paper titled “China’s Policies on Asia-Pacific Security Cooperation” released by the State Council Information Office of the Peoples Republic of China in January 2017. The document states how China aims to further increased it position in the region, promoting the Belt and Road Initiative, the Asian Infrastructure Fund and the Silk Road Fund, with explicit mention of relations with ASEAN and ASEAN Plus Three, the China-Japan-ROK cooperation, East Asia Summit and Shanghai Cooperation Organization among others.

We are mindful of the efforts of the US to seek a backdoor in its encirclement of China. The latest initiative called the QUAD, with Australia, Japan, and India together with the US forming this new alliance and bringing in China’s neighbor India to the mix. We are acquainted with the recent conflicts between China and India along the Sino-Indian border in 2020 and the formation of the QUAD can further strain the relations between the 2 giants.

The peoples of Asia Pacific wants the US Out!

We are proud of the long struggle of the people of Japan and ROK against the continued military presence of the US in their countries. We are also aware of the many atrocities of the US military in both Japan and Korea, including rape of women by US security personnel, as well as danger to the social and living environment of the population near the US military bases.

We stand firm against US Imperialist agenda in Asia-Pacific. We are against the efforts of Biden in promoting and strengthening the US corporate interest in the region. These US transnational companies take advantage of cheap labor in the region, while dumping their goods in the vast market of Asia Pacific.

We stand shoulder to shoulder in promoting peace across the region and the rest of the globe. We will assert the independence of the peoples of Asia Pacific against any form of intervention and aggression.

Abra Migrant Workers Welfare Association (AMWWA)
Abra Tinguian Ilocano Society (ATIS-HK)
Advanced League of People’s Artists (ALPA)
Aliansi Gerakan Reforma Agraria (AGRA)
ANAKBAYAN Melbourne
ANAKBAYAN Sydney
Andhra Pradesh Vyvasaya Vruthidarula Union
Asia Pacific Research Network - APRN
Asia Pacific Workers Solidarity Link (APWSL) Korea
Asia-Wide Campaign Japan
Asosiasi Buruh Migran Indonesia (ATKI-HK)
Association of Concerned Filipinos in Hong Kong (ACFIL-HK)
Australia Anti-AUKUS Coalition – Inetrim Working Group
Australian Action for Peace and Development in the Philippines (APDP)
BAYAN Australia
BAYAN Hongkong & Macau
Campaign for Peace and Democracy (Manipur)
Catriona Devlin, PAX CHRISTI VICTORIA
Communist Party of Australia – Marxist Leninist
Cordillera Alliance Hong Kong (CORALL-HK)
Filipino Friends in Hong Kong (FFHK)
Filipino Lesbians Organization (FiLO)
Filipino Migrant Workers’ Union (FMWU)
Filipino Migrants Association (FMA)
Front Mahasiswa Nasional (FMN)
GABRIELA Australia
Gabriela Hong Kong
ILPS Asia-Pacific
ILPS Hong Kong & Macau
ILPS South Asia
Independent and Peaceful Australia Network (IPAN)
Indonesian Migrant Workers’ Union (IMWU)
Int'l Indigenous Peoples Movement for Self Determination & Liberation
Institute for National Democratic Studies (INDIES)
Jaringan Buruh Migran Indonesia di Hong Kong (JBMI)
KASAMMA KO (South Korea)
LIKHA Filipino Migrants Cultural Organization (LIKHA)
Malaya Movement Australia
Maritime Union of Australia, Victoria Branch
Melbourne Australia May Day Organisation
Migrante Australia
Migrante Macau
Migrante Japan
Movement Against Tyranny - Australia
NO AUKUS Victoria (Australia)
Peace Action Wellington
Pemuda Baru Indonesia (PEMBARU)
Philippine Australian Union Link
Philippines Australia Solidarity Association
Philippine Caucus for Peace
Philippine Studies Network in Australia (PINAS)
Pinatud a Saleng ti Umili (PSU)
People's Coalition on Food Sovereignty - Global
Promotion for Church Peoples Response (PCPR) Australia Chapter
Promotion of Church Peoples Response - Hong Kong (PCPR-HK)
Prof. Gill H. Boehringer, International Association of People's Lawyers
Resist US-Led War Movement
Serikat Perempuan Indonesia (SERUNI)
Spirit of Eureka (Australia)
United Filipinos in Hong Kong (UNIFIL-MIGRANTE-HK)
United Indonesians Against Overcharging (PILAR)