U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is likely to discuss human rights in Myanmar, China’s “irresponsible” behavior in the South China Sea and Ukraine, at summits with Asian leaders in Laos this week.
Biden Fully Committed To The ASEAN Region
A top U.S. diplomat for East Asia said on Tuesday said that Biden remains fully committed to the ASEAN region, even though he is not attending the leader-level meetings.
Blinken Heading To Laos
A State Department statement said Blinken would leave on Tuesday for the capital of Vientiane and stay there until Friday.
Blinken will attend the East Asia Summit and a U.S.-Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit.
He was originally scheduled to accompany Biden on a subsequent visit to Berlin and the Angolan capital Luanda.
Change In Biden’s Travel Plans
The White House however announced that the president was postponing those trips to handle preparations for Hurricane Milton and relief efforts after Hurricane Helene.
The U.S. Secretary of State is now expected to return home after the Vientiane trip, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said.
China-Related Issues Likely To Come Up During Discussions
Assistant Secretary for East Asia and Pacific Affairs Dan Kritenbrink said he had no details to share about Blinken’s for bilateral meetings in Vientiane, including any with China.
He however said that many China-related issues would come up, including its “escalatory and irresponsible steps designed to coerce and pressure many of the South China Sea claimants.
On China’s support for Russia over Ukraine, he added: “Our concerns regarding China’s strong support for the Russian defense industrial base, they remain, they are ongoing, and I would say they are growing.”
Washington Deeply Concern About Myanmar’s Plans To Hold Elections
Kritenbrink said Washington remained “deeply concerned” about Myanmar military government’s plan to hold elections.
The Assistant Secretary for East Asia and Pacific Affairs said that elections genuine peace and reconciliation in the country are essential prerequisite for elections.
He added there has been “virtually zero progress” in efforts to press the junta to reduce violence, release political prisoners and engage with the democratic opposition.
He further said that Blinken will continue to emphasize to partners in the region about the need to keep up pressure on the regime.
The diplomat further voiced the apprehension that premature elections would only generate more violence and prolong the ongoing crisis.
(With Inputs From Reuters)
