evidence: Across much of the Indo-Pacific region, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is using military and economic coercionâ¯to bully its neighbors, advance unlawful maritime claims, threaten maritime shipping lanes, and destabilize territory along the periphery of the Peopleâs Republic of China (PRC).Â This predatory conduct increases the risk of miscalculation and conflict. The United States stands with its Southeast Asian allies and partners to champion a free and open Indo-Pacific. [...] In the East China Sea, the PRC strategically deploys its coast guard, military, and control of the worldâs largest commercial fishing fleet to intimidate and challenge its neighbors.Â For example, for more than a decade, the PRC has operated ships and planes near the Senkaku Islandsâa group of uninhabited islands that reverted to Japanâs administration in 1971 under the Okinawa Reversion Agreement.Â In 2016, hundreds of PRC fishing vessels swarmed the waters of theâ¯Senkakusâ¯in a move calculated by the CCP toâ¯undermine Japanâs administration. [...] Together with partners, includingâ¯Japan, South Korea, andâ¯Taiwan, the United States champions a vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific where all parties prosper in peace and no hegemonic power asserts national control overâ¯the high seas and international airspace.Â As in the South China Sea, this approach builds on Americaâs long record in the Pacific of preservingâ¯peace, upholding freedom of the seas in line with international law, maintaining the unimpeded flow of lawful commerce, and supporting peaceful settlement of disputes.Â These important and abiding interests are shared withâ¯numerousâ¯U.S. allies and partners.