US Vice President Kamala Harris to visit Vietnam and Singapore in August

July 31, 2021 | 13:20

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Kamala Harris will become the first US vice president to visit Vietnam next month during a trip that will also include Singapore.

US Vice President Kamala Harris to visit Vietnam and Singapore in August

US Vice President Kamala Harris will visit Vietnam and Singapore in August to reinforce global partnerships

Harris will engage the leaders of both Vietnam and Singapore on issues of mutual interest, including regional security, the global response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and climate change, Harris' communications director Symone Sanders said in a statement.

"President Biden and Vice President Harris have made it a top priority to rebuild our global partnerships and keep our nation secure, and this upcoming visit continues that work – deepening our engagement in Southeast Asia," Sanders said.

The United States has donated five million COVID-19 vaccine doses to Vietnam in a bid to help the nation of nearly 100 million people fight the pandemic. Singapore has innoculated 75 per cent of its population with at least one dose.

Vice President Harris will likely focus a good portion of her trip on the importance of US partnerships in the region as the Biden administration puts a focus on its relationships in Asia. President Biden has repeatedly spoken about the need to counter Chinese influence in the region and promote democracy in the Indo-Pacific region. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is on an Asia swing of his own this week, meeting with leaders in Vietnam and the Philippines, according to newswire The Hill.

By Thanh Van

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