US wants ASEAN’s centrality in maintaining free, open Indo-Pacific
(VOVWORLD) - Deputy Secretary of State Wendy R. Sherman on Monday met with the 10 ASEAN ambassadors to discuss the US-ASEAN strategic partnership and affirm the United States’ commitment to ASEAN centrality.
 US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy R. Sherman. (Photo: US State of Department) |
The Deputy Secretary shared that President Biden’s October announcement of intent to provide more than 100 million USD in new funding for US-ASEAN Futures initiatives reflects the US administration’s deep commitment to ASEAN’s central role in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific.
She also highlighted US focus on providing the region with a positive economic agenda and US partnership to address regional challenges, including freedom of navigation in the South and East China Seas and the situation in Myanmar.