US pledges to uphold rule of law in the East Sea
(Baonghean.vn) - On August 3, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo emphasized that Washington is committed to upholding the rule of law in the East Sea and wishes to promote further investment in the Indo-Pacific region.
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| US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. Photo: AP |
Speaking to top diplomats attending the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit in Singapore, Mr. Pompeo said that ASEAN is the top destination for US investment in Asia.
The US Secretary of State affirmed: “The United States is a Pacific nation, and we remain committed to putting ASEAN at the center of our Indo-Pacific strategy.”
The US Secretary of State added that Washington would support ASEAN’s efforts to promote peace in the region. “On the security front, we welcome ASEAN’s continued efforts to promote peace and stability in the region, support the rule of law in the South China Sea, and strictly enforce sanctions on North Korea,” the US Secretary of State said.
The ASEAN summit comes as China and the United States are locked in a bitter trade dispute, with US President Donald Trump weighing plans to double tariffs on $200 billion worth of Chinese imports.
Washington is also increasing pressure on Beijing in the military sphere, after the US administration decided to list China as one of America's biggest rivals in its national security strategy last year.
On August 1, the US Senate passed a $716 billion defense bill to counter China’s rise in the region, especially its military activities in the East Sea. Maritime disputes were also one of the key issues discussed at this ASEAN summit./.
