Indo-Pacific Region: China’s influence may challenge sovereignty of nations

Unchecked Chinese influence may challenge the sovereignty and strategic autonomy of the Indo-Pacific nations, US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas said yesterday.

"This, in turn, could precipitate instability and impede the prosperity we collectively seek," he said at a session on the last day of the three-day conference titled Bay of Bengal Conversations.

The event was organised by the Centre for Governance Studies (CGS) at a city hotel.

Canadian High Commissioner Lilly Nichols, Australian High Commissioner Jeremy Bruer and UK High Commissioner Sarah Cooke also spoke at the session, moderated by CGS Executive Director Zillur Rahman.

Haas said the US believes in the international rules-based system, freedom of navigation, democracy, human rights, diversity and prosperity in the region.

The Indo-Pacific region is home to more than half of the world's population and nearly two-thirds of the world's economy. Half of all global trade passes through the region's waters.

The global powers are competing for influence in the region. China is going ahead with its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) while the US has its Indo-Pacific Strategy (IPS).

Many other countries also have their own strategies. Bangladesh has recently launched its Indo-Pacific Outlook.

The US envoy said, "As we chart our course through the coming decades in the Indo-Pacific, we must not lose sight of the evolving nature of the People's Republic of China's influence."

He said the BRI, along with the Chinese expansive maritime ambitions, have signaled a new epoch in the dynamics of this region. "This brings us to the most pressing strategic challenge to our vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific: authoritarian powers trying to alter the fundamental rules of the road in international affairs."

"We must approach this juncture with unyielding vigilance," he said.

Haas said Russia's invasion of Ukraine is a wake-up call to the world and demonstrates that the democratic values cannot be taken for granted, rather they must be defended.

He said the US does not seek conflict or cold war, but wants to promote the vision of a free, open, secure, and prosperous world.

"We believe we can only truly fulfill these visions when we apply those principles domestically as well.

"What we can't allow is for the strategic challenge from authoritarian powers -- powers whose actions would snuff out the sovereignty and autonomy of the nations that make up this region, and who would shut down that prosperity and diversity -- to go unmet."

Haas said "competition" in the Indo-Pacific is not about forcing countries to choose, but about offering an alternative vision based on respect, prosperity, and partnership.

"Through deliberate, multilateral endeavours, we seek to create an environment that is conducive not only to growth, but also to sustainable and inclusive prosperity, to security, and to the protection of sovereignty that extends to all Indo-Pacific nations, be they large coastal states or small islands."

The US ambassador said there are many more examples of democratic economies taking off than those of the nations thriving under autocracy or under the shadow of their more powerful neighbours.

"We encourage Bangladesh to recognise the importance of these principles in its own past as it develops its own outlook," he said.

Canadian High Commissioner Lilly said the Indo-Pacific cannot be secure without addressing the Rohingya crisis that's affecting not only Bangladesh but the entire region.

It's important to hold the Myanmar junta accountable and continue the humanitarian assistance for the Rohingya, she said.

The British and Australian envoys said their countries will support Bangladesh for successful graduation from LDC and address the Rohingya crisis.