Kamala Harris is expected in Singapore on Sunday. (File)
Washington:
US Vice President Kamala Harris’ upcoming trip to Vietnam and Singapore will show the United States is “to stay” in the region, a senior administration official said, as the US looks to bolster international support to counter the growing global influence of US Vice President Kamala Harris. to counter China.
Harris’s trip to Asia aims to forge deeper ties with a network of allies in Southeast Asia, which the United States believes is essential to holding back Chinese expansion.
A senior White House official told Reuters earlier this month the vice president’s focus would be on defending international rules in the South China Sea, strengthening US regional leadership and expanding security cooperation. in the region.
“The government makes it clear that we have an abiding commitment to this region, that we are part of the Indo-Pacific and will remain in the region,” the official said.
The trip comes at a time when the Biden administration is experiencing a crisis following its decision to withdraw troops from Afghanistan. The official said Harris would continue to work on issues related to Afghanistan during her Asia trip.
“It has been an overwhelming focus and priority from the entire team, including the vice president … at the same time it is also true that Southeast Asia and the Indo-Pacific are very important. And that’s why she goes,” the official added. up. .
Harris is expected in Singapore on Sunday. She will be the first US vice president to visit Vietnam, arriving in the country on Tuesday and departing next Thursday.
During her journey, Harris will make a phone call with Singaporean President Halimah Yacob, attend a bilateral meeting with Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and comment on a US warship calling at Singapore. She will also hold a meeting to discuss supply chain issues with private sector and government representatives.
In Hanoi, Vietnam, Harris will meet with leaders including President Ngyuen Xuan Phuc and Prime Minister Pham Ming Chinh, and lead the US delegation in establishing a regional office for the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NewsMadura staff and has been published from a syndicated feed.)
