Pence: Aggression has no place in Indo-Pacific

By Iqbal Musyaffa 

SINGAPORE 

There must be no place for an empire or aggression in the Indo-Pacific region, U.S. Vice President Mike Pence said on Thursday.

The statement came as Pence addressed the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-U.S. Summit in Singapore.

Pence, however, did not name any country.

He added that nations in the Indo-Pacific, small and large, must be given the same opportunity to develop.

"Just like you, we want the Indo-Pacific, in which all nations, large and small, can prosper and thrive — secure in our sovereignty, confident in our values, and growing stronger together," said Pence.

Furthermore, the vice president said Washington had taken steps to promote this vision, including measures to spur private investment in infrastructure and pursue free, fair and reciprocal trade.

Pence also highlighted the country’s “pressure campaign” against North Korea, as well as a commitment to uphold freedom in the oceans and sky.