Exclusive: Blinken cuts trip short over COVID concerns, here's what he imagines Southeast Asia in 2022

KUALA LUMPUR : In an interview with Astro Awani's Editor-in-Chief Ashwad Ismail, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken touched on how he imagines the Southeast Asia region in 2022.

He is hopeful for a free and open Indo-Pacific.

"There are three levels to this. First, at an individual level, I hope there is freedom to live in open societies where one can have a voice in their own country.

"Next is, of course, for countries, I hope that they will be able to not only choose their own paths but also their own partners.

"As for the regional level, I hope that the region will take a cooperating and collaborating approach. I think those are the most important words, not coercion," said Blinken.

Blinken was in Southeast Asia for a three-nation trip. He had to postpone a scheduled visit to Thailand because a member of the traveling U.S. press team tested positive for COVID-19 in Kuala Lumpur.

I spoke today with Thai DPM Don Pramudwinai to express my regret at not being able to visit Bangkok this week. I invited DPM Don to Washington at the earliest opportunity and noted that I would re-schedule my visit to Thailand, as we continue to build the U.S.-Thai Alliance.
— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) December 15, 2021