"It's never been a good bet to bet against the United States," Vice-President Joe Biden has proclaimed, making the case for US economic and military supremacy to maintain the "rules-based international order" in the Pacific region amid ongoing tensions with China.
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Mr Biden, wrapping up a four-day Australian tour, also reiterated his belief in the Australia-US alliance, rubbished predictions of America's declining role in international affairs and urged people not to worry about his homeland's eyebrow-raising election race.
"We are not going anywhere. And that is vital because our presence in the region – and it sounds terrible to say coming from the lips of an American elected official – our presence is essential to maintaining peace and stability, without which the economic growth and prosperity I believe would falter," he said in a Sydney address.
"America is the linchpin and we want to ensure the sea lanes are secure, the skies remain open. That is how to maintain the free flow of commerce, that is the life-blood of this region."
Since the recent Hague ruling against their territorial claims in the South China Sea, which it promptly dismissed, China has warned Australia not to join US freedom of navigation exercises near islands over which they have claimed sovereignty.
Australia Air Force chief Air Marshal Leo Davies said on Tuesday morning that he wanted to see regular air and sea manoeuvres continue in the waterway.
"Air Force will work closely with our allies, partners and other like-minded air forces to determine how we can make a practical contribution to ensuring freedom of navigation," he told ABC radio.
Australia has so far declined to travel within the critical 12 nautical mile radius of the contested islands at the centre of tensions.
The Vice-President, a senior Democrat and former senator, said it is not arrogant to characterise the US' importance in such terms because it "is just a fact" it has the strongest economy in the world and argued it will remain that way.
"I've said to [Chinese] President Xi directly what I said to Prime Minister Turnbull yesterday, our resolve to play a part in shaping the future of this dynamic region is real," he said.
"As [President Barack Obama] said, we are all in. We are not going anywhere."
In an emphatic description of the country's "unparalleled" military commitment, which will be seen as a warning to China, he said they spend more on defence than the next eight nations combined.
"We have the most capable ground forces in the world and unmatched ability to project naval and air power to any and every corner of the globe, and simultaneously.
"We bolstered our special operation forces, enhanced our cyberspace capability, invested in game changing technologies in order to maintain our qualitative edge for years to come. And we've committed to put over 60 per cent of our fleet and our most advanced military capabilities in the Pacific by 2020."
He described the century-old Australian alliance variously as forged in iron, a great friendship and based on shared character.
But, no doubt sensing global concerns about the unpredictable state of US politics and what Republican candidate Donald Trump represents, Mr Biden told Australians: "Don't worry about our election. The better angels in America will prevail."
"At a time like this, in the face xenophobia and demagoguery and what is being trumpeted around the world, we have to remember who we are as Australians and Americans and reflect our best selves back to the world."
His and President Obama's eight years in office are almost at an end, with the general election - to be fought between Mr Trump and Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton - due in November and the new president inaugurated in January.
Mr Biden himself spent many months considering a campaign for the presidency but, following feverish speculation, eventually decided against it.
