Biden says China 'testing us,' in hot mic remarks to Quad allies

President Biden warned that China is "testing us" in a series of hot mic remarks to Quad allies on Tuesday, vowing to stand up to Beijing's "bullying behavior."

Biden's comments came during a virtual meeting with the leaders of Japan, Australia, and India, who are part of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad). The Quad is a loose security alliance that has been seen as a way to counter China's growing influence in the Indo-Pacific region.

In his remarks, Biden said that China is "trying to assert itself" and "test our resolve." He said that the Quad countries need to "stand up" to China's "bullying behavior" and "make it clear that we will not tolerate it." The Quad also discussed other issues, including the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change. The leaders agreed to work together to address these challenges and to promote a "free and open Indo-Pacific region.

Biden's comments come at a time of heightened tensions between the US and China. The two countries have been at odds over a range of issues, including trade, human rights, and the South China Sea. Biden has taken a tougher stance on China than his predecessor, Donald Trump, and has vowed to "compete" with Beijing. China has warned the US not to "contain" its rise and has accused the Biden administration of "Cold War mentality."

The Quad is seen as a way to counter China's growing influence in the Indo-Pacific region. The four countries have held a series of joint military exercises and have pledged to cooperate on a range of issues, including maritime security and counterterrorism. The Quad is not a formal military alliance, but it is seen as a way to deter China from taking aggressive action in the region.