US President Joe Biden has made energy and security pledges worth $150 million to Southeast Asian leaders during a summit in Washington.

Aimed at countering the rising influence of China, the deal is part of a campaign to show that the United States still prioritises Asia despite months of intense focus on repelling Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Biden met with representatives from Brunei, Indonesia, Cambodia, Singapore, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Malaysia, and the Philippines on Thursday to highlight that Washington remains focused on the Indo-Pacific and the long-term challenge of China, which it views as the country's main competitor.

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Indonesian President Joko Widodo said, "I hope this meeting can build momentum for the return of the US presence in the region."

Biden's administration is working on an Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) and in a step towards that direction, the new financial commitment includes a $40 million investment in infrastructure intended to help decarbonise the region's power supply and $60 million in maritime security.&nbsp;

According to Malaysian Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob, "The US should adopt a more active trade and investment agenda with ASEAN, which will benefit the US economically and strategically."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/jan-6-capitol-attack-us-committee-subpoenas-5-republican-congress-members-in-unprecedented-move-478490" hreflang="en">Jan 6 Capitol attack: US committee subpoenas 5 Republican Congress members in unprecedented move</a>

The US Centers for Disease Control in Hanoi is also working on a project to test for emerging respiratory diseases in urban Southeast Asia.&nbsp;

Previously, China had utilised its debt trap tactic to pledge $1.5 billion in November last year for assistance in development to ASEAN countries over three years to fight COVID and fuel economic recovery.

Economic powerhouses of Asia are connected through the water bodies around the South China Sea, among the busiest in the world, and are facing territorial disputes with an increasingly assertive Beijing.

(With inputs from agencies)

Watch WION's live TV here:

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US President Joe Biden has made energy and security pledges worth $150 million to Southeast Asian leaders during a summit in Washington. Aimed at countering the rising influence of China, the deal is part of a campaign to show that the United States still prioritises Asia despite months of intense focus on repelling Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

US President Joe Biden has made energy and security pledges worth $150 million to Southeast Asian leaders during a summit in Washington. Aimed at countering the rising influence of China, the deal is part of a campaign to show that the United States still prioritises Asia despite months of intense focus on repelling Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Biden met with representatives from Brunei, Indonesia, Cambodia, Singapore, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Malaysia, and the Philippines on Thursday to highlight that Washington remains focused on the Indo-Pacific and the long-term challenge of China, which it views as the country's main competitor. Indonesian President Joko Widodo said, "I hope this meeting can build momentum for the return of the US presence in the region." Biden's administration is working on an Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) and in a step towards that direction, the new financial commitment includes a $40 million investment in infrastructure intended to help decarbonise the region's power supply and $60 million in maritime security. According to Malaysian Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob, "The US should adopt a more active trade and investment agenda with ASEAN, which will benefit the US economically and strategically." Also read | Jan 6 Capitol attack: US committee subpoenas 5 Republican Congress members in unprecedented move The US Centers for Disease Control in Hanoi is also working on a project to test for emerging respiratory diseases in urban Southeast Asia. Previously, China had utilised its debt trap tactic to pledge $1.5 billion in November last year for assistance in development to ASEAN countries over three years to fight COVID and fuel economic recovery. Economic powerhouses of Asia are connected through the water bodies around the South China Sea, among the busiest in the world, and are facing territorial disputes with an increasingly assertive Beijing. (With inputs from agencies) Watch WION's live TV here:

US President Joe Biden makes energy, security pledges worth $150 million to Southeast Asian leaders

US President Joe Biden met with leaders from Southeast Asia for a virtual summit in&nbsp;Washington's first high-level engagement with the&nbsp;bloc in four years.&nbsp;

The summit is seen as an attempt aimed at containing China's growing assertiveness, with&nbsp;Biden&nbsp;striving to strengthen US presence in the Pacific amid China's emergence as a national security and economic adversary.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/us-president-joe-biden-to-take-part-in-asean-summit-strengthen-partnership-with-bloc-424001">US President Joe Biden to take part in ASEAN summit, strengthen partnership with bloc</a>

After former President Donald Trump's visit to Manila in 2017, there had not been a presidential-level meeting between the US and the ASEAN.&nbsp;

The virtual conference marked the start of three days of discussions held by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), which will include US President Joe Biden, as well as Chinese and Russian leaders.

The US President in his opening remarks to the summit said that the United States is committed to the central role of the ten nation ASEAN in the region, and in the future, the ASEAN nations can expect him to personally show up in the region.

"The relationship between the United States and ASEAN is vital, vital for the future of all one billion of our people," Biden said. "Our partnership is essential to maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific, which has been the foundation of our shared security and prosperity for many decades."

According to the White House, Biden also denounced the coup and "horrific violence" in Myanmar.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/asean-summit-begins-without-myanmar-junta-boycotts-in-response-to-the-snub-424118">ASEAN summit begins without Myanmar: Junta boycotts in response to the snub</a>

Addressing the virtual summit, he "expressed grave concerns about the military coup and horrific violence in Burma and called on the country's military regime to immediately end the violence, release those unjustly detained, and restore Burma's path to democracy," a statement said.

As per the White House, Biden is expected to announce plans to provide up to $102 million to expand the US strategic partnership with ASEAN, with funds going towards health, climate, education, and economic programs.

He is also expected to reassure ASEAN that recent US efforts to engage with India, Japan and Australia in the so-called Quad grouping and an agreement to supply Australia with nuclear-powered submarines are not intended to supplant ASEAN's role in the region.

Analysts say that Biden's meeting with the 10-nation bloc is a sign that his administration is engaging allies and partners in a collective effort to push back at China.

Also read |&nbsp;ASEAN summit kicks off without Myanmar representative

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In his remarks, Biden referred to a "shared vision for a region where every country can compete and succeed on a level playing field and all nations, no matter how big or powerful, abide by the law."

However, he avoided specific references to China, as have US officials in the lead-up to the meetings as they work to arrange a virtual summit between Biden and Chinese leader Xi Jinping later this year.

US President Joe Biden met with leaders from Southeast Asia for a virtual summit in Washington's first high-level engagement with the bloc in four years. The summit is seen as an attempt aimed at containing China's growing assertiveness, with Biden striving to strengthen US presence in the Pacific amid China's emergence as a national security and economic adversary.

US President Joe Biden met with leaders from Southeast Asia for a virtual summit in Washington's first high-level engagement with the bloc in four years. The summit is seen as an attempt aimed at containing China's growing assertiveness, with Biden striving to strengthen US presence in the Pacific amid China's emergence as a national security and economic adversary. Also read | US President Joe Biden to take part in ASEAN summit, strengthen partnership with bloc After former President Donald Trump's visit to Manila in 2017, there had not been a presidential-level meeting between the US and the ASEAN. The virtual conference marked the start of three days of discussions held by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), which will include US President Joe Biden, as well as Chinese and Russian leaders. The US President in his opening remarks to the summit said that the United States is committed to the central role of the ten nation ASEAN in the region, and in the future, the ASEAN nations can expect him to personally show up in the region. "The relationship between the United States and ASEAN is vital, vital for the future of all one billion of our people," Biden said. "Our partnership is essential to maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific, which has been the foundation of our shared security and prosperity for many decades." According to the White House, Biden also denounced the coup and "horrific violence" in Myanmar. Also read | ASEAN summit begins without Myanmar: Junta boycotts in response to the snub Addressing the virtual summit, he "expressed grave concerns about the military coup and horrific violence in Burma and called on the country's military regime to immediately end the violence, release those unjustly detained, and restore Burma's path to democracy," a statement said. As per the White House, Biden is expected to announce plans to provide up to $102 million to expand the US strategic partnership with ASEAN, with funds going towards health, climate, education, and economic programs. He is also expected to reassure ASEAN that recent US efforts to engage with India, Japan and Australia in the so-called Quad grouping and an agreement to supply Australia with nuclear-powered submarines are not intended to supplant ASEAN's role in the region. Analysts say that Biden's meeting with the 10-nation bloc is a sign that his administration is engaging allies and partners in a collective effort to push back at China. Also read | ASEAN summit kicks off without Myanmar representative In his remarks, Biden referred to a "shared vision for a region where every country can compete and succeed on a level playing field and all nations, no matter how big or powerful, abide by the law." However, he avoided specific references to China, as have US officials in the lead-up to the meetings as they work to arrange a virtual summit between Biden and Chinese leader Xi Jinping later this year.

US-ASEAN virtual summit: With eye on China, Joe Biden reiterates need for free Indo-Pacific

US Vice President Mike Pence would meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his four-nation trip next week, during which he will also attend the US-ASEAN Summit and the East Asia Summit in Singapore, the White House has said.

Generally the summit is attended by US President. However, this time Pence would be representing the country at the request of President Donald Trump.

Pence will travel to Japan, Singapore, Australia, and Papua New Guinea between November 11 and 18 to attend the US-ASEAN Summit and the East Asia Summit in Singapore as well as the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meetings in Papua New Guinea.

Pence will also participate in meetings with Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Singapore premier Lee Hsien Loong, India's Narendra Modi, Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister Peter O'Neill, and Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, in addition to other bilateral meetings, the White House said.

National Security Advisor John Bolton will join Vice President Pence for the US-ASEAN Summit and East Asia Summit in Singapore and APEC meetings in Papua New Guinea.

"The Vice President is honoured to represent President Donald Trump at the US-ASEAN Summit and APEC next week, where he will highlight American leadership in the region and reaffirm our commitment to freedom, economic prosperity, and security in the Indo-Pacific," Alyssa Farah, Press Secretary for the Vice President said.

This will be Pence's third trip to the region as the Vice President and he will reaffirm President Trump's commitment to the final, fully verified denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, she said.

"He will also deliver the message that authoritarianism, aggression, and the disregard for other nations' sovereignty by any nation in the Indo-Pacific will not be tolerated by the United States," Farah said.&nbsp;

US Vice President Mike Pence would meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his four-nation trip next week, during which he will also attend the US-ASEAN Summit and the East Asia Summit in Singapore, the White House has said.

US Vice President Mike Pence would meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his four-nation trip next week, during which he will also attend the US-ASEAN Summit and the East Asia Summit in Singapore, the White House has said. Generally the summit is attended by US President. However, this time Pence would be representing the country at the request of President Donald Trump. Pence will travel to Japan, Singapore, Australia, and Papua New Guinea between November 11 and 18 to attend the US-ASEAN Summit and the East Asia Summit in Singapore as well as the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meetings in Papua New Guinea. Pence will also participate in meetings with Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Singapore premier Lee Hsien Loong, India's Narendra Modi, Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister Peter O'Neill, and Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, in addition to other bilateral meetings, the White House said. National Security Advisor John Bolton will join Vice President Pence for the US-ASEAN Summit and East Asia Summit in Singapore and APEC meetings in Papua New Guinea. "The Vice President is honoured to represent President Donald Trump at the US-ASEAN Summit and APEC next week, where he will highlight American leadership in the region and reaffirm our commitment to freedom, economic prosperity, and security in the Indo-Pacific," Alyssa Farah, Press Secretary for the Vice President said. This will be Pence's third trip to the region as the Vice President and he will reaffirm President Trump's commitment to the final, fully verified denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, she said. "He will also deliver the message that authoritarianism, aggression, and the disregard for other nations' sovereignty by any nation in the Indo-Pacific will not be tolerated by the United States," Farah said.

US Vice President Mike Pence to meet PM Modi next week: White House

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US President Joe Biden makes energy, security pledges worth $150 million to Southeast Asian leaders

US-ASEAN virtual summit: With eye on China, Joe Biden reiterates need for free Indo-Pacific

US Vice President Mike Pence to meet PM Modi next week: White House