U.S. signs ASEAN treaty, boosts engagement

PHUKET, Thailand (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton signed a friendship treaty with Southeast Asia on Wednesday, underlining Washington's renewed focus on a region that has increasingly come under China's influence.

Other countries including China have acceded to the Treaty on Amity and Cooperation, a document that underpins the 10-member Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN). It commits signatories to the peaceful settlement of disputes and non-interference in domestic affairs.