The U.S. Secretaryof State Antony Blinken’s recent trip to Southeast Asia sends out a powerful signal that Washington wants to improve relations with the region in a time when tensions are growing with China. This is according to an expert at a think-tank.

Simon Tay (chairman of the Singapore Institute of International Affairs) said that Blinken’s visit to the region this week must be understood in context of Sino-American rivalry.

He said that there was a silver lining to these countries, and ASEAN in general. However, competition must not escalate into conflict. 

He added, “It’s an important signal that the he is coming into the region and beginning with Indonesia,” 

Since January, when President Joe Biden assumed office, this is Blinken’s first trip to Southeast Asia. On Tuesday, Blinken made his first trip to Indonesia and called for the support of the regional allies.

To be clear, the goal of the defense of the rules-based system is not to bring down any country. It’s actually to defend the freedom of every country to choose their path without coercion or intimidation,” said Blinken. He will be visiting Malaysia and Thailand next week.

“It’s not about a contest between a U.S.-centric region or a China-centric region – the Indo-Pacific is its own region,” he added.

China’s aggressive behavior in the South China Sea was also criticised by Secretary of State, noting that it threatens more than $3 trillion annually in trade. This is an increasing concern.

“That’s why there is so much concern – from Northeast Asia to Southeast Asia and from the Mekong River to the Pacific Islands – about Beijing’s aggressive actions,” he added.

China is becoming more agitated due to the Biden administration. Indo-Pacific strategy.One of those priorities is the establishment of an informal strategic alliance, the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, or Quad, between Australia, Japan and India.

Ashley Townshend (director of foreign policy, defense, United States Studies Centre, University of Sydney) stressed that Blinken’s visit was crucial because the Biden administration has just begun to roll out an Indo-Pacific economic framework.

He stated that this “really tries to address one of Southeast Asian country’s core needs from the United States,” which is to see them invest more substantially in the region.