Biden vows to back Asian allies

Joe Biden rang allies in Tokyo, Seoul and Sydney yesterday, vowing to repair partnerships and reaffirming mutual-defense pacts.

A day after Biden's series of "America is back" calls with European leaders, Japan's Yoshihide Suga warned the "security situation is increasingly severe" in the region.

The American president-elect responded by expressing a "deep commitment to the defense of Japan" and treaty obligations.

During the four-year Trump administration, America's regional allies often questioned whether the president would uphold promises to defend them in the event of a military conflagration.

In a response likely to cause a protest from Beijing, Biden confirmed the US defense commitment extended to the Senkaku or Diaoyu islands, claimed by Japan and China.

In a 14-minute call with Moon Jae In, Biden described the US-South Korea alliance as "the linchpin of security and prosperity" in Asia and vowed to work together on "shared challenges" such as North Korea and climate change.

Trump mulled publicly on withdrawing US troops from Japan and South Korea, where more than 20,000 American military personnel are stationed to deter North Korean action.

And during his call to Scott Morrison, Biden received an invitation to visit Australia next year for the 70th anniversary of a security treaty between the countries.