Secretary Blinken’s Participation in the 19th East Asia Summit

The following is attributable to Spokesperson Matthew Miller:

Secretary Antony J. Blinken participated in the East Asia Summit, where he joined leaders from ASEAN member states and other dialogue partners to discuss strategic issues and regional cooperation. Secretary Blinken emphasized the United States' commitment to ASEAN centrality and highlighted the significant economic ties between the United States and ASEAN. He underscored the importance of a free and open Indo-Pacific and reiterated U.S. support for ASEAN's efforts in enhancing connectivity and resilience, including through initiatives in cybersecurity, the digital economy, artificial intelligence, as well as U.S. support to address transnational challenges such as the climate crisis and public health.

During the Summit, Secretary Blinken addressed several pressing regional and international challenges and threats, including PRC's provocations in the South China Sea and East China Sea, maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, regional tensions in the Middle East, and Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine. He reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to maintaining open channels of communication with the PRC and called for unified action against the DPRK's destabilizing activities. The Secretary also expressed support for the ASEAN Five-Point Consensus on Burma and called on the military regime to end the violence and engage in inclusive dialogue.