Washington. July 20. INTERFAX-US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin will go on an Asian tour on July 23, during which he will demonstrate the US interest in developing relations with the ASEAN countries and maintaining international order in the region, Pentagon press Secretary John Kirby said.
According to him, Austin will visit Singapore (Republic of Singapore), Hanoi (Vietnam), Manila (Philippines). The Defense Minister will also go to Alaska.
"This trip will emphasize the continued commitment of the United States to the region and our interest in maintaining a rules - based international order in the region and promoting the central role of ASEAN," the statement posted on the website of the US military department said.
Kirby also said that " Secretary Austin's visit will demonstrate the importance that the Biden - Harris administration attaches to Southeast Asia and ASEAN as an important part of the architecture of the Indo-Pacific region."
