REUTERS – By Humeyra Pamuk and David Brunnstrom
WASHINGTON, Feb 7 (Reuters) – U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken will aim with a trip to the Pacific this week to remind the world that Washington’s strategic long-term focus remains with the Asia-Pacific region despite an escalating crisis with Russia over Ukraine.
Blinken departs on Monday for Australia, Fiji and Hawaii for a week-long trip and meetings with key allies, aiming to reaffirm a commitment to push back against what the United States calls China’s growing economic and military “coercion.”
The trip’s highlights include a meeting of the informal grouping of Australia, India, Japan and the United States known as the Quad, diplomatic efforts regarding North Korea and discussions on the concerns of Pacific Islands states where U.S. officials believe China wants to establish bases.
READ FULL ARTICLE HERE : Blinken with Pacific trip aims to reaffirm U.S. focus on Asia | Reuters
