Washington: The United States insisted on Tuesday it was fully engaged with Asia as President Joe Biden skips the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit for the second straight year, with Secretary of State Antony Blinken going instead.
Blinken’s participation in the annual summit in Laos comes as the US faces growing competition in the region, particularly from China, which is sending Premier Li Qiang. Despite Biden’s absence, the US emphasized that its engagement with Southeast Asia remains strong.
“There should be absolutely no doubt regarding President Biden’s and the United States’ strong commitment to the region,” said Daniel Kritenbrink, US Assistant Secretary of State for East Asia.
He underscored Biden’s and Vice President Kamala Harris’ visits to six Southeast Asian nations during their tenure, as well as Biden’s hosting of a landmark summit with the leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Washington in 2022.
Kritenbrink also highlighted the US’ role as the top foreign investor in Southeast Asia and Biden’s efforts to enhance security cooperation with key Asian allies, sending a clear message that the US remains dedicated to the Indo-Pacific.
This year’s East Asia Summit will address critical regional issues, including the South China Sea, where tensions between China and the Philippines over maritime claims have grown.
The summit will offer Blinken a platform to discuss Russia’s offensive in Ukraine and the ongoing crisis in Myanmar, following the military coup that has plunged the country into chaos.
The East Asia Summit is taking place ahead of the upcoming US elections. Despite skipping the summit, Biden will embark on overseas trips to Germany and Angola next week.
Vice President Kamala Harris, who represented the U.S. at last year’s East Asia Summit in Jakarta, is the Democratic nominee for the 2024 presidential race amid questions over the 81-year-old Biden’s age.