Advertisement
As Blinken visits, who in Southeast Asia will answer US call for cyber, space cooperation?
- US Secretary of State’s first Southeast Asia tour begins in Indonesia amid a push to strengthen military partnerships in new frontiers of competition with China
- Analysts stressed the importance of Washington refreshing ties with other nations outside its go-to circle of like-minded allies – such as Cambodia and Laos
Reading Time:5 minutes
Why you can trust SCMP
65
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken kicks off his maiden Southeast Asia tour on Monday as the Biden administration steps up its diplomatic efforts in a region that has been aggressively courted by China.
Advertisement
The four-day tour, covering Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand, will be warmly welcomed, according to observers, especially following earlier disquiet over Washington’s commitment to the region.
It comes at a time when the US is pushing to strengthen its military partnerships in new frontiers of competition with China, especially on cybersecurity and in space.
While Washington continues to engage with like-minded allies and partners such as the Philippines and Singapore, analysts stressed the importance of prioritising and refreshing ties with other Southeast Asian nations such as Indonesia, Cambodia and Laos, while urging the Biden administration not to overplay the China card.
‘Positive gesture’
Blinken’s first stop is Indonesia, which Muhamad Arif, an international relations lecturer at the University of Indonesia, described as a “positive diplomatic gesture”, as many Indonesians felt snubbed after officials from the Biden administration had bypassed the country during recent high-profile visits to the region.
Advertisement
US Vice-President Kamala Harris visited Singapore and Vietnam in August, after defence chief Lloyd Austin had stopped by the same two countries, along with the Philippines, in July.
Advertisement