US President Joe Biden will use his visit to Cambodia next month for a summit with ASEAN to reaffirm the US commitment to Southeast Asia, according to the White House.
Vice President Kamala Harris will represent Biden in attending the meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) leaders in Bangkok, it said.
A statement issued by the White House said Biden will be in Cambodia on November 12-13 to participate in the annual US-ASEAN summit and the East Asia summit before proceeding toIndonesia to attend a summit of leaders from the Group of 20 major economies.
It said while in Cambodia, President Biden will reaffirm the US commitment to Southeast Asia and ASEAN centrality, and will look to build on the success of the US-ASEAN Special Summit in Washington in May this year.
“He will underscore the importance of US-ASEAN cooperation in ensuring security and prosperity in the region, and the well–being of our combined one billion people,” the statement said.
The White House also confirmed that Vice President Harris will travel to Bangkok to attend the November 18-19 APEC summit to underscore “Washington’s commitment to economic cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.”
It had been earlier reported that Biden decided to skip the APEC meeting because he has to host a wedding reception for his granddaughter at the White House.
