US Vice President Kamala Harris will visit the Philippine islands of Palawan that lie on the edge of the disputed South China Sea, a senior administration official told Reuters on Tuesday. US President Joe Biden and Chinese leader Xi Jinping met each other just at the G20 Summit in Bali and this announcement now is likely to anger Beijing.

When Harris visits the islands next Tuesday, she will become the highest-ranking American official to visit the island chain. It may be noted that China has dredged the sea floor to build harbours and airstrips on the Spratly Islands, while Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam also claim parts of the area.

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China claims some territories in the waters off Palawan and much of the South China Sea, citing domestic historical maps. But an international arbitration ruling in 2016&nbsp;found no legal basis for the Chinese claims. The South China Sea contains massive oil and gas deposits and ship-borne trade worth $5 trillion is conducted across it each year.

"In Palawan, Harris will meet with residents, civil society leaders and representatives of the Philippines Coast Guard," the senior administration official said.

The official added that the trip will reinforce the administration's "commitment to stand with our Philippine ally in upholding the rules-based international maritime order in the South China Sea, supporting maritime livelihoods and countering illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing."

On Tuesday, Manila had announced that Washington would spend $66.5 million for training and warehouse facilities at three of its military bases there under a 2014 joint security deal.

This will be Harris's second trip to Asia in three months and strategically aims to discourage any aggressive steps by China, including in self-ruled Taiwan. She will also stop in Thailand for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation leaders meeting.

During her last trip to the region, Harris accused China of actions to "coerce and intimidate" neighbours.

However, South China Sea expert Gregory Poling told Reuters that instead of angering Beijing, the visit could send a strong message to the Philippines since she is not visiting a disputed territory.

"It will be reassuring to the Philippines by sending a clear signal that, even with Ukraine and Taiwan at the centre stage, the United States still recognises the South China Sea as central to the future of the U.S.-Philippine alliance," said Poling, who is the director of the Southeast Asia Programme at Washington's Center for Strategic and International Studies.

(With inputs from agencies)

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US Vice President Kamala Harris will visit the Philippine islands of Palawan that lie on the edge of the disputed South China Sea, a senior administration official told Reuters on Tuesday.

US Vice President Kamala Harris will visit the Philippine islands of Palawan that lie on the edge of the disputed South China Sea, a senior administration official told Reuters on Tuesday. US President Joe Biden and Chinese leader Xi Jinping met each other just at the G20 Summit in Bali and this announcement now is likely to anger Beijing. When Harris visits the islands next Tuesday, she will become the highest-ranking American official to visit the island chain. It may be noted that China has dredged the sea floor to build harbours and airstrips on the Spratly Islands, while Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam also claim parts of the area. Also Read | US military surveillance in South China Sea decreased in September: Think tank China claims some territories in the waters off Palawan and much of the South China Sea, citing domestic historical maps. But an international arbitration ruling in 2016 found no legal basis for the Chinese claims. The South China Sea contains massive oil and gas deposits and ship-borne trade worth $5 trillion is conducted across it each year. "In Palawan, Harris will meet with residents, civil society leaders and representatives of the Philippines Coast Guard," the senior administration official said. The official added that the trip will reinforce the administration's "commitment to stand with our Philippine ally in upholding the rules-based international maritime order in the South China Sea, supporting maritime livelihoods and countering illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing." On Tuesday, Manila had announced that Washington would spend $66.5 million for training and warehouse facilities at three of its military bases there under a 2014 joint security deal. This will be Harris's second trip to Asia in three months and strategically aims to discourage any aggressive steps by China, including in self-ruled Taiwan. She will also stop in Thailand for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation leaders meeting. During her last trip to the region, Harris accused China of actions to "coerce and intimidate" neighbours. However, South China Sea expert Gregory Poling told Reuters that instead of angering Beijing, the visit could send a strong message to the Philippines since she is not visiting a disputed territory. "It will be reassuring to the Philippines by sending a clear signal that, even with Ukraine and Taiwan at the centre stage, the United States still recognises the South China Sea as central to the future of the U.S.-Philippine alliance," said Poling, who is the director of the Southeast Asia Programme at Washington's Center for Strategic and International Studies. (With inputs from agencies)

US Vice President Kamala Harris to visit Philippine islands near disputed South China Sea

US Vice President Kamala Harris will attend former Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe's funeral on Tuesday (September 27) in Tokyo. It is a sombre event, and Harris' Asia visit is not going to be an easy assignment.&nbsp; She has more than a couple of vital issues to address. Controversies are likely to happen as the vice president has begun her second trip to Asia since taking office in January 2021.&nbsp;

Harris will meet Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Monday, and she will visit South Korea later to strengthen US diplomatic links in the region.&nbsp;

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China will keep a close watch on her movement because tensions between the nations are expected to escalate as Harris' visit came just days after US President Joe Biden committed to defending Taiwan from a "potential attack" from the Chinese. A similar visit by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi earlier this year&nbsp;had raised the heckles in Beijing. 
 
So the question remains, will Harris do a Pelosi?&nbsp;

North Korea will also keep a close eye on Harris, even as it fired a ballistic missile on Sunday as a veiled warning just hours ahead of the planned military drills by South Korean and US forces involving an aircraft carrier, which started on Sunday.&nbsp;South Korean and US officials have been warning for months that Kim is preparing to conduct another nuclear test.&nbsp;

South Korean president's office said on Saturday that they had detected signs the North was preparing to fire a Submarine Launched Ballistic Missile (SLBM), a weapon Pyongyang last tested in May.&nbsp;

Watch this report:&nbsp;

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At the Abe funeral on Tuesday, Harris will head a delegation that includes the US ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel, and US Trade Representative Katherine Tai.&nbsp;

Ahead of the visit, a senior White House official told reporters, "We anticipate that they will also have a discussion on issues such as the strength of the US-Japan alliance, our broad cooperation on many issues including space."&nbsp;

And also, a range of regional and global issues including the importance of preserving peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, and the importance of promoting a free and open Indo-Pacific," the official added.&nbsp;

Key issues that might dominate her visit:&nbsp;

-Joe Biden's comment to send troops to defend Taiwan from a Chinese invasion.&nbsp; 
-Recent provocations by North Korea and possibility of a nuclear test by Pyongyang.&nbsp; 
-New US law that makes electric vehicles built outside of North America ineligible for subsidies. 
-South Korean president's recent controversies, when he insulted US lawmakers in a viral hot mic moment.&nbsp;

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US Vice President Kamala Harris will attend former Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe's funeral on Tuesday (September 27) in Tokyo. It is a sombre event, and Harris' Asia visit is not going to be an easy assignment.

US Vice President Kamala Harris will attend former Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe's funeral on Tuesday (September 27) in Tokyo. It is a sombre event, and Harris' Asia visit is not going to be an easy assignment. She has more than a couple of vital issues to address. Controversies are likely to happen as the vice president has begun her second trip to Asia since taking office in January 2021. Harris will meet Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Monday, and she will visit South Korea later to strengthen US diplomatic links in the region. ALSO READ | Donald Trump claimed 'he was not watching television during Capitol Hill riots', new book says China will keep a close watch on her movement because tensions between the nations are expected to escalate as Harris' visit came just days after US President Joe Biden committed to defending Taiwan from a "potential attack" from the Chinese. A similar visit by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi earlier this year had raised the heckles in Beijing. So the question remains, will Harris do a Pelosi? North Korea will also keep a close eye on Harris, even as it fired a ballistic missile on Sunday as a veiled warning just hours ahead of the planned military drills by South Korean and US forces involving an aircraft carrier, which started on Sunday. South Korean and US officials have been warning for months that Kim is preparing to conduct another nuclear test. South Korean president's office said on Saturday that they had detected signs the North was preparing to fire a Submarine Launched Ballistic Missile (SLBM), a weapon Pyongyang last tested in May. Watch this report: × At the Abe funeral on Tuesday, Harris will head a delegation that includes the US ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel, and US Trade Representative Katherine Tai. Ahead of the visit, a senior White House official told reporters, "We anticipate that they will also have a discussion on issues such as the strength of the US-Japan alliance, our broad cooperation on many issues including space." And also, a range of regional and global issues including the importance of preserving peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, and the importance of promoting a free and open Indo-Pacific," the official added. Key issues that might dominate her visit: -Joe Biden's comment to send troops to defend Taiwan from a Chinese invasion. -Recent provocations by North Korea and possibility of a nuclear test by Pyongyang. -New US law that makes electric vehicles built outside of North America ineligible for subsidies. -South Korean president's recent controversies, when he insulted US lawmakers in a viral hot mic moment. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

WIll Kamala Harris do a Nancy Pelosi? US veep's Asia tour to attend Shinzo Abe's funeral is in sharp focus

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US Vice President Kamala Harris to visit Philippine islands near disputed South China Sea

WIll Kamala Harris do a Nancy Pelosi? US veep's Asia tour to attend Shinzo Abe's funeral is in sharp focus