US top diplomat headed to Indonesia, Thailand this week

WASHINGTON

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will travel to Bali, Indonesia and Bangkok, Thailand this week, the State Department said Tuesday.

Blinken will travel Wednesday to Bali to attend the G20 Foreign Ministers’ meeting, where spokesman Ned Price said he will reinforce the US’ commitment to working with international partners to confront global challenges, including food and energy insecurity and the threat of Russia’s continued war against Ukraine presents to the international order.

Blinken will also hold a bilateral meeting with Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, said Price.

The top US diplomat will also meet China's State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on the margins of the G20.

In Bangkok, Blinken will meet Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai, said Price.

"He looks forward to discussing a range of issues, including building on the successes of Thailand’s APEC 2022 agenda during our 2023 APEC host year, expanding health and climate cooperation, and addressing the crisis" in Myanmar, said the spokesman.

"He will also meet with alumni of U.S. exchange programs, tour the Thai Department of Disease Control’s Emergency Operations Center, and visit a shelter and welfare center for victims of human trafficking," said the statement.

"The U.S-Thai Alliance is essential for advancing the President’s Indo-Pacific Strategy for a free and open, connected, prosperous, secure, and resilient region," it added.