Blinken Starts Southeast Asia Tour in Indonesia

China's officials have been expanding their power into the east and Horn of Africa, while U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken went on a tour of the east to consolidate his control of the southeastern territories of Asia, which has become a strategic arena for Washington and Beijing.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony went on a visit to Southeast Asia Monday to meet with the president of Indonesia, a sign that U.S. President Joe Biden's administration is committed to working with nations in the region amid growing influence from China, according to State Department spokesman Ned Price.

In a statement, State Department spokesman said that Blinken "expressed support for Indonesia's leadership in the Indo-Pacific as the world's third-largest democracy."

During his visit, Blinken also affirmed that the United States supports ASEAN centrality, a term often used to encourage cooperation between member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

Later on, Blinken also will pay an official visit to Malaysia and Thailand on his Asian trip before meeting with INDOPACOM Commander Adm. John Aquilino on Friday.

Blinken's tour came just days after China's officials announced that their country is set to build a military base in Equatorial Guinea, West Africa, in a bid to prepare China’s military to counter the U.S and its allies, according to international reports.