Trevor Hunnicutt and Michael Martina. David Brunnstrom.

WASHINGTON, (Reuters) – The U.S. president Joe Biden is opening a meeting of Southeast Asian leaders, promising to invest $150 million in their infrastructure, security and pandemic preparedness, as well as other measures that will counter the Chinese influence.

Biden begins a 2-day summit in Washington, with 10 member nations of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. On Thursday there will be a dinner at the White House for leaders before heading to the State Department for talks on Friday.

He hopes these efforts will prove to countries that Washington is still focused on the Indo-Pacific, and China’s long-term challenge, despite war in Ukraine.

China has pledged to provide $1.5 billion of development aid to ASEAN nations over the next three years, just in November. This was to combat COVID and to fuel economic recovery.

Reporters were told by a top U.S. government official that “We must step up our game on Southeast Asia.” We aren’t asking nations to choose between China and the United States. The United States is looking for stronger relationships, however.

An official stated that the $40 million commitment will be used to invest in infrastructure and maritime security. Another $60 million is allocated to regional security. $15 million has been set aside for funding health, to support early detection of COVID-19 or other respiratory pandemics. Further funding will be used to support the development of digital economies and laws governing artificial intelligence.

To counter illegal fishing by China, the U.S. Coast Guard is also sending a ship into the area.

These commitments, however, pale in comparison to China’s profound ties and influence within the region.

Biden will continue to pursue additional regional initiatives, such as a Build Back better World infrastructure investment program and the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework. However, neither of these initiatives are complete and they are unlikely to be prominently announced at this meeting.

This summit is the first ASEAN leaders to gather at the White House as a group and the first hosted meeting by the U.S. president since 2016.

Expect eight to ten ASEAN leaders. The Myanmar leader was expelled in a coup that occurred last year. Meanwhile, the Philippines has entered transition following an election. However, Biden talked to Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday.

ASEAN members share similar concerns regarding China and want to strengthen ties with Washington.

China claims sovereignty over huge swathes the South China Sea. ASEAN members Vietnam, the Philippines and Brunei have been rebuffed. Brunei is also claiming parts.

However, the U.S. delayed in describing plans for economic engagement after former President Donald Trump renounced a 2017 regional trade pact.

Biden is expected to launch the IPEF on his next week’s visit to Japan and South Korea. Diplomats and analysts say that two of the 10 ASEAN member countries, Singapore and Philippines, are likely to join the first group of countries to participate in the IPEF negotiation. The IPEF does not provide the market access Asia countries desire, due to Biden’s concern about American jobs.

According to analysts, even though ASEAN nations share U.S. concerns regarding China, they are still cautious about supporting Washington more strongly, due to their economic ties with Beijing, and the limited U.S. incentives.

A Cambodian adviser, Hun Sen (in office since 1985, but his first White House trip), told Reuters that Biden needs to spend more time talking with leaders if he wants to improve relations with the region.

Kao Kim Hourn said Cambodia’s close economic ties with China would not allow it to “choose sides”, despite the fact that U.S.-based investment is increasing in his country.