SINGAPORE/HANOI -- The U.S. and China, their differences widening over the South China Sea and security issues, are trying to win more allies in Southeast Asia.
On Friday, the U.S. and the five Mekong nations -- Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam -- held the first Mekong-U.S. Partnership Ministerial Meeting, where Stephen Biegun, U.S. deputy secretary of state, announced $153 million for the region.