Counselor of the US Department of State Derek Chollet. (Photo: AP)

In the Philippines, Chollet is consulting with officials on joint efforts to support the rule of law and ensure freedom of navigation in the East Sea, internationally known as the South China Sea. His visit aims to reaffirm the US’s unwavering commitment to the US-Philippines Alliance, as evidenced by the Joint Vision for a 21st-Century US-Philippines Partnership.

In Vietnam, Chollet will meet with senior government officials to reaffirm the US-Vietnam Comprehensive Partnership and the US commitment to ASEAN centrality. The two sides will discuss ways to expand security and economic cooperation.  

During his last stop in Japan, Mr. Chollet will meet with senior Japanese officials to discuss the situation in Myanmar, the situation in Ukraine, and a number of other issues.