ASEAN’s centrality will continue to be the core of the US-Asean diplomatic relations as the US looks to forge stronger alliances and partnerships with countries in this region under the Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) Strategy.

US assistant secretary of defence Reed Werner said the document, which emphasises on shared prosperity, stability, peace, and sovereignty of nations in the Indo-Pacific, is the “guiding light” on how the US views and approaches Asean.

“It is an important document for...