Asean – The White House announced on Thursday that K-pop idols BTS would visit the White House next week to discuss hate crimes against Asians and people of Asian descent with US President Joe Biden. On Tuesday, Biden will host the worldwide musical sensation and will “explore Asian inclusion and representation, as well as anti-Asian hate crimes and prejudice, which …

South Korea – As worry about a North Korean nuclear test rises, US President Joe Biden landed in South Korea on May 20 for his first Asia tour as US leader, with the goal of strengthening relations with regional security partners. Biden wants the visit to draw on recent actions that have accelerated the US‘s years-long pivot to Asia, where …

Malaysia – Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob today encouraged the US to pursue a more aggressive trade and investment strategy with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), claiming that doing so would benefit Washington both economically and diplomatically. Ismail Sabri expressed some of the displeasure felt in Asia after former President Donald Trump exited a regional …

ASEAN – According to the host country, US President Joe Biden will meet with leaders of Southeast Asian countries in mid-May, with a probable focus on China’s expanding strength. The meeting, which was previously set for March, “will show the United States‘ continuing commitment to Asean,” according to White House press secretary Jen Psaki. “Serving as a strong, trusted partner …

Cambodia – After the Asean chair Cambodia has announced that the Washington summit together with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations had been postponed since not all leaders could go later this month, the White House stated on Thursday that it is exploring other dates. Last month, the White House announced that US President Joe Biden will convene an Asean …

Taiwan – Taiwan would develop economic relations with Lithuania in a “cycle of goodwill” despite pressure from Beijing, Taiwan’s de facto ambassador to the US said on Wednesday. Following Taiwan’s establishment of a representative office in Lithuania’s capital in November, Beijing severed relations with the Baltic state, and according to diplomatic sources, 19 Lithuanian embassy workers and their dependents had …

Indonesia – Antony Blinken, the Secretary of State of the United States, paid a visit in Indonesia, beginning off a tour to Southeast Asia aimed at boosting relations in a region that has emerged as a geopolitical battlefield between the United States and China. In his first trip to Southeast Asia since US President Joe Biden took office in January, Blinken will begin his …

China – China retaliated over US President Joe Biden’s criticism of Beijing for failing to demonstrate leadership after President Xi Jinping missed the crucial COP26 United Nations summit in Glasgow. Xi, who heads the world’s top emitter of the greenhouse gases responsible for climate change, has not left China since the start of the Covid-19 outbreak and has not attended …

Philippines – US President Joe Biden joined in celebrating Filipino American History Month for October, as the American leader recognized their contributions to their country and their inspiring resilience. In a statement on his Facebook page, Biden recognized Filipino Americans as an essential part of their Nation’s strength, diversity and history; a living reminder of the courage of immigrants, and …

As Secretary of State Antony Blinken prepared to push Asean to designate an envoy, the US claimed that Myanmar’s military leader was just buying time with a two-year election deadline. Blinken is virtually participating in a week of discussions with foreign ministers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), which is the latest attempt by President Joe Biden’s administration …