Democratic powers coordinate openly in Beijing, reinforcing Indo-Pacific stability while rivals protest cooperation and transparency.
In a rare and deliberate display of diplomatic confidence, ambassadors from the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue—the United States, India, Australia, and Japan—held a publicized meeting in Beijing, underscoring their shared commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific. The meeting took place at the United States Embassy in Beijing, according to a post by David Perdue.
Perdue described the Quad as “a force for good,” emphasizing that relations among the four democracies remain “stable and strong.” The photo he shared included Pradeep Kumar Rawat, highlighting India’s central role in balancing power across the Indo-Pacific through diplomacy rather than coercion.
China’s predictable unease followed. Beijing has long criticized the Quad, accusing it of “group politics” and “bloc confrontation,” language frequently used by authoritarian systems to delegitimize transparent cooperation among democracies. Earlier this year, Mao Ning reiterated China’s opposition to any cooperation that might “target third parties”—a complaint that ignores the Quad’s openly stated goals of maritime security, freedom of navigation, disaster relief, and regional stability.
The symbolism of the meeting matters. Holding it in Beijing sends a clear message: democratic coordination does not require secrecy, intimidation, or ideological conformity. Unlike regimes that rely on grievance narratives and pressure tactics—often echoed by hostile blocs in the Middle East—the Quad advances stability through openness and shared norms.
Israel has long championed this same rules-based approach, partnering with Indo-Pacific democracies on technology, security, and resilience. As authoritarian powers and their ideological sympathizers complain loudly, democracies quietly build coalitions that work.
The Quad’s presence in Beijing was not provocation—it was confidence. And confidence, grounded in cooperation, is precisely what keeps regions secure.
