“Her trip will build on the Biden-Harris Administration’s message to the world: America is back,” her office said in a statement.
The statement continued, “Our Administration sees Asia as a critically important region in the world. The Vice President’s visit will emphasize the importance of comprehensive engagement and strategic partnerships — key components of our Administration’s approach to foreign policy.”
During meetings with government officials, the private sector, and civil society leaders, Harris will share the Biden administration’s vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific, her office said, raise trade and security issues, including in the South China Sea, and promote economic cooperation.
Harris will travel August 20 to August 26.
Harris’ chief spokesperson, Symone Sanders, said in a statement announcing the trip that the vice president will “engage the leaders of both governments on issues of mutual interest,” noting that regional security, the Covid-19 pandemic and climate change will be areas of discussion.
Biden has repeatedly said that a central challenge of this moment is whether democracy can prevail over autocracy, with those regional partnerships crucial to his efforts to counter China’s growing influence.
Source : CNN