President Biden and Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen shake hands at the East Asia Summit Gala. Photo: Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images
President Joe Biden arrived in Cambodia Saturday and pledged his support for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries in what has been seen as a counter to China.
Why it matters: Biden's visit comes days ahead of his important meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The president is presenting the United States as a friendly and calm ally for the region as China's influence grows and North Korea unnerves nearby leaders.
Driving the news: Biden said Saturday that the U.S. will continue to support ASEAN countries moving forward through the US-ASEAN Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
- “Together, we will tackle the biggest issues of our time, from climate to health security, defend against the significant threats to rule-based order and to threats to the rule of law,” Biden said at the ASEAN summit, according to a copy of remarks sent to Axios.
- “We'll also discuss Russia’s brutal war against Ukraine and our efforts to address the war’s global impacts including in Southeast Asia,” Biden added.
Zoom in: Biden also met with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, saying in remarks before the meeting that the two had a "long agenda" ahead of them.
- The president is expected to meet with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol on Sunday.
The big picture: The visit to Cambodia comes as Biden is preparing to hold his first in-person meeting as president with China's President Xi on Monday, Axios' Dave Lawler reports.
- The White House expects Biden to speak about Taiwan, the North Korean missile launches, war in Ukraine and climate change, among other issues.
- Biden may also bring up China's "human rights violations" and "harmful economic practices," a senior administration official tells Axios.
Go deeper: Biden to raise Taiwan during Monday's in-person meeting with Xi at G20