Asian allies keen to work with Biden

In their first calls with Joe Biden since the US presidential election, the leaders of Japan, South Korea and Australia on Thursday reaffirmed plans to form close ties with the Democrat who has claimed victory in the Nov 3 contest.

The leaders indicated their willingness to engage with Biden on issues such as the coronavirus pandemic and climate change.

The three key Asian allies－Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, South Korean President Moon Jae-in and Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison－join other global leaders in recognizing the Democratic challenger's reported victory over incumbent President Donald Trump, who has refused to concede.

Biden's preparations for a move into the White House follow years of sometimes tumultuous relations between Asian allies and the United States under Trump over issues including trade, military ties and the environment.

South Korean officials hope that Biden will quickly resolve a drawn-out, multibillion-dollar dispute with Washington over the cost of thousands of US troops stationed on the Korean Peninsula.

Both Moon and Suga said they agreed to arrange meetings with the new US president shortly after the inauguration in January.

The new president will also face the challenge of managing unresolved political and economic disputes between South Korea and Japan that have threatened a military intelligence-sharing arrangement.

All sides expressed their determination to strengthen bilateral ties as well as tackle global issues such as the coronavirus pandemic and climate change, Biden's office said.

Biden had earlier spoken to the leaders of Germany, the United Kingdom, Canada and France.

Agencies Via Xinhua