White House scoffs at Beijing's new map, 'false maritime claims'

National Security Council spokesman John Kirby speaks during a press briefing at the White House, July 26, 2023, in Washington. [AP Photo]

The United States will continue to push back against Beijing's "false maritime claims," said John Kirby, the National Security Council coordinator for strategic communications, in response to China's newly released 2023 map that has drawn the ire of India, Vietnam, Taiwan, Malaysia and the Philippines.

In an interview with VOA White House Bureau Chief Patsy Widakuswara on Friday, Kirby spoke about expectations for President Joe Biden's upcoming trip to the G20 summit in New Delhi, followed by a visit to Hanoi, where the U.S. is expected to upgrade bilateral ties with Vietnam. He also previewed Vice President Kamala Harris' upcoming engagement with leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Jakarta, Indonesia.