Top U.S. diplomat for Asia to visit four ASEAN countries

Daniel Kritenbrink to stress support for 'rules-based order in Indo-Pacific'

Daniel Kritenbrink, the assistant secretary of state for East Asia, will tour the region through December 4, a U.S. State Department statement said. © AP

November 27, 2021 12:40 JST

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -- The top U.S. diplomat for East Asia will visit Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand from the weekend after President Joe Biden pledged stepped up engagement with Southeast Asia, a key battleground in his contest for influence with China.

Daniel Kritenbrink, the assistant secretary of state for East Asia, will be in the region from Saturday until Dec. 4, a State Department statement said.