TOKYO -- The Indo-Pacific region is facing "unprecedented challenges" to a rules based order, a senior U.S. State Department official said, adding that the informal security grouping of the U.S., Japan, Australia and India known as "the Quad" may welcome new members in the future as the countries look to counter China's growing influence.
Marc Knapper, deputy assistant secretary of state for Korea and Japan, on Saturday said the Quad "is a voluntary grouping of like-minded nations that share common values of democracy, of rule of law, respect for human rights and a respect for freedom."
