US eyes counter-China moves in South-East Asia

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken attends a news conference during his official visit to Thailand, in Bangkok, Thailand, Sunday, July 10, 2022. - Reuters

SINGAPORE/BANGKOK (AP): US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is visiting Thailand as the Biden administration moves to show its commitment to South-East Asia in the face of a relentless push for influence in the region from China.

Blinken was meeting with senior Thai officials and democracy activists from neighboring Myanmar on Sunday in Bangkok. He signed an agreement with Thai Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai expanding the US.-Thailand "Strategic Alliance and Partnership.”