Harris hoping to reset relations

Centre of attention: Harris holding a roundtable with environmental and clean energy leaders in Bangkok, Thailand, before flying to the Philippines. — AP

VICE-PRESIDENT Kamala Harris will underscore America’s commitment to defending treaty ally the Philippines with a visit that involves flying to an island province facing the disputed South China Sea.

After attending the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Thailand, Harris was set to fly yesterday night to Manila and then meet President Ferdinand Marcos Jr today for talks aimed at reinforcing Washington’s oldest treaty alliance in Asia and strengthening economic ties, said a senior US administration official, who was not identified according to practice, in an online briefing.