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Exclusive: Blinken cuts trip short over COVID concerns, here's what he imagines Southeast Asia in 2022
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken (right) attends Energy Roundtable meeting in conjunction with his two-day working visit to Malaysia. Also present is Energy and Natural Resources Minister Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan - Bernama Pic
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.
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.
#Antony Blinken
#Ashwad Ismail
#ASEAN
#Southeast Asia
#sea
#foreign
#Malaysia
#United States
#Biden
#Joe Biden