# East Asia and the Pacific – United States Department of State

- Assistant Secretary Kritenbrink’s Travel to Laos and Japan Office of the SpokespersonAssistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel J. Kritenbrink will travel to Vientiane, Lao PDR, June 6-8 and Tokyo, Japan, June 9-10.In Vientiane, Assistant Secretary Kritenbrink will participate in the East Asia Summit and ASEAN Regional Forum Senior Officials’ Meetings.  During these meetings, the Assistant Secretary will underscore the United States’ commitment to ASEAN centrality, a free and open Indo-Pacific, and the security and prosperity of our partners.  He will also meet with senior Lao PDR government officials to reaffirm U.S. support for Lao PDR’s ASEAN Chair Year, highlight U.S. efforts in support of the theme of “Enhancing Connectivity and Resilience,” thank the Lao PDR for its continued work as Co-Chair for the Mekong-U.S. Partnership, and further strengthen the U.S.-Lao PDR comprehensive partnership.In Tokyo, Assistant Secretary Kritenbrink will meet with senior Japanese officials to reaffirm the United States’ commitment to the U.S.-Japan Alliance and discuss how our two nations can deepen cooperation on a range of key opportunities and challenges.
- Deputy Secretary Campbell’s Travel to Hawai’i for Festival of Pacific Arts and Culture Office of the SpokespersonDeputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell will travel to Hawai&#699;i, June 6-7 to attend the 13th Festival of Pacific Arts and Culture (FestPAC). He will hold bilateral meetings with leaders and ministers from Pacific Island nations and will attend various FestPAC cultural events and ceremonies to demonstrate the United States’ commitment to strengthen the Pacific while deepening the connection with our partners in the region through public diplomacy. The Deputy Secretary will be joined by Deputy Assistant to the President and Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander liaison Erika Moritsugu as well as representatives from the National Security Council, the Department of Interior, National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the Peace Corps, and USAID.The Deputy Secretary will attend the signing ceremony establishing a Sister City relationship between Honolulu, Hawai&#699;i and Rarotonga, Cook Islands, celebrating the first new partnership under the “7 for 70” Initiative, announced by the White House and Sister Cities International last year at the U.S.-Pacific Islands Forum Summit. He will join Hawai&#699;i Governor Josh Green in delivering keynote remarks at the Governor’s policy roundtables with Pacific leaders, ministers and delegates. The Deputy Secretary will also meet with participants of the Young Pacific Leaders network, which brings together young people from across the Pacific region to develop new connections, advance leadership skills, and create opportunities for collaboration in solving regional and global challenges.
- On the 35th Anniversary of Tiananmen Square Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of StateToday, on the 35th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square massacre, we remember the tens of thousands of peaceful Chinese pro-democracy protestors who were brutally assaulted for standing up for freedom, human rights, and an end to corruption. Thirty-five years later, the true toll from that day is still unknown, but we honor all those killed and imprisoned on June 4, 1989, and the days that followed.We also honor the many voices now silenced throughout the country, including in Xinjiang, Tibet, and Hong Kong. We will continue to speak out and work with the international community to promote accountability for PRC human rights abuses both within and outside its borders. We echo the call of the brave Tiananmen demonstrators for the PRC to recognize and respect the human rights and fundamental freedoms enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights to which it is a signatory. We also call upon the PRC to accept the many recommendations made this year during the Universal Periodic Review of its human rights record, including unconditionally releasing those it has arbitrarily and unjustly detained.As Beijing attempts to suppress the memory of June 4, the United States stands in solidarity with those who continue the struggle for human rights and individual freedom. The courage and sacrifice of the people who stood up in Tiananmen Square thirty-five years ago will not be forgotten.
- United States-Japan-Republic of Korea Trilateral Vice Foreign Minister-Level Dialogue Office of the Spokesperson													HomeOffice of the SpokespersonPress Releases&#8230;United States-Japan-Republic of Korea Trilateral Vice Foreign Minister-Level Dialogue				hide		if(window.jQuery) {		jQuery( document ).ready(function() {			if (jQuery(".bc_middle").hasClass("collapse")) {				jQuery(".bc_ellipse").click(function(){					jQuery(".bc_hide").toggleClass("visible");					jQuery(".bc_middle").toggle();					jQuery(".bc_ellipse").toggle();					jQuery(".bc_content").toggleClass("noflex");					jQuery(".block_breadcrumbs_content").toggleClass("noflex");				});				jQuery(".bc_hide").click(function(){					jQuery(".bc_hide").toggleClass("visible");					jQuery(".bc_middle").toggle();					jQuery(".bc_ellipse").toggle();					jQuery(".bc_content").toggleClass("noflex");					jQuery(".block_breadcrumbs_content").toggleClass("noflex");				});			} else {				jQuery(".bc_ellipse").hide();			}		});	}																										United States-Japan-Republic of Korea Trilateral Vice Foreign Minister-Level Dialogue																																		Media Note																														May 31, 2024																																							The following text was released by the Governments of the United States of America, Japan, and the Republic of Korea on the occasion of the United States-Japan-Republic of Korea Trilateral Vice Foreign Minister-Level Dialogue.&nbsp;Begin text:We, the Deputy Secretary of State of the United States, the Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, and the 1st Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea, met in the Washington area on May 31, 2024, to carry forward the Spirit of Camp David.&nbsp; Together we reaffirm the importance of trilateral cooperation in seizing the opportunities of today and addressing the most difficult challenges we face, as we look together to the future.&nbsp;We reaffirm our commitment to use our collective capacity to strengthen security and maintain peace and stability across the Indo-Pacific region.&nbsp; Our shared ambitions and values will continue to guide our efforts and bind us to increase prosperity while protecting democracy and defending the rules-based international system.&nbsp;Our trilateral partnership is essential to the security and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific.&nbsp; We strongly oppose any unilateral attempts to change the status quo in the waters of the Indo-Pacific and recognize the importance of opposing unlawful maritime claims in the South China Sea. &nbsp;We committed to continuing our discussions on the development of the Trilateral Maritime Security Cooperation Framework to address the multifaceted challenges of the maritime domain, including maritime law enforcement based on the Letter of Intent signed by the coast guards of our three countries. &nbsp;We reaffirmed the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait as an indispensable element of security and prosperity&nbsp;in the international community.&nbsp; There is no change in our basic positions on Taiwan, and we call for the peaceful resolution of cross-Strait issues.&nbsp;We shared common concerns about the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s (DPRK) increasingly destabilizing rhetoric and actions.&nbsp; We strongly condemned the DPRK’s recent launches using ballistic missile technology, including a so-called “military reconnaissance satellite,” which took place in violation of multiple UN Security Council resolutions.&nbsp; We reaffirmed our commitment to the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and call on the DPRK to&nbsp;engage in substantive dialogue with us without preconditions. &nbsp;We committed to continue expanding our security cooperation to counter the DPRK threat and strengthen regional security.&nbsp; The Deputy Secretary reiterated that the U.S. commitments to the defense of Japan and the ROK are ironclad and backed by the full range of capabilities, including nuclear, and reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to strengthen extended deterrence with Japan and the ROK.&nbsp; We are continuing close cooperation in exploring ways to ensure full implementation of the relevant Security Council resolutions, especially in light of Russia’s veto of a resolution to renew the mandate of the UN Security Council’s 1718 Committee Panel of Experts.&nbsp; We expressed grave concerns about the DPRK’s human rights violations and abuses and are committed to the immediate resolution of the issues of abductees, detainees, and unrepatriated prisoners of war. &nbsp;We reaffirmed our commitment to continue working together to combat the DPRK’s illicit revenue generation and malicious cyber activities.&nbsp; We further reaffirmed our support for a unified Korean Peninsula that is free and at peace.We also shared our concerns about deepening cooperation between the DPRK and Russia, including arms transfers in violation of UN Security Council resolutions, which are fueling Russia’s brutal war of aggression against Ukraine.&nbsp; We committed to coordinate even more closely to support Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, recovery, and efforts to hold Russia accountable for its actions. Noting the&nbsp;increasing national security threat posed by foreign information manipulation by adversarial actors in the region and beyond, we committed to work together to address this challenge and&nbsp;build more resilient information environments.In this year when all three of our nations serve on the Security Council, we committed to continue working in the Security Council, at the UN General Assembly, and in other multilateral fora to protect human rights, bolster democratic institutions, and promote the rule of law.&nbsp;As three of the most dynamic economies in the world, it is imperative that we continue to invest in one another’s prosperity by further deepening our already vibrant economic ties.&nbsp; To further these efforts, we committed to continue working closely to strengthen economic security and enhance supply chain resilience, including through joint support for Minerals Security Partnership projects.&nbsp; We also&nbsp;discussed progress made through the Trilateral Economic Security Dialogue and committed to accelerating cooperation on critical and emerging technologies and encourage relevant authorities to advance shared&nbsp;research projects.&nbsp; As a sign of our deepening economic and technological partnership, we noted the launch of a new quantum workforce program by IBM, in partnership with U.S., Korean, and Japanese universities, that will train 40,000 students over the next decade.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;We also welcomed the upcoming launch of a Trilateral Technology Leaders Program hosted by Johns Hopkins SAIS, which will train mid-level policymakers from our three countries in critical policy areas including emerging technology governance, semiconductors and global supply chain issues, collaborative human-AI problem-solving, ethical biotech governance, quantum technology, cybersecurity challenges, and space.&nbsp;Alongside our deep condolences for the loss of life and devastation caused by the landslide in Papua New Guinea, we committed to supporting rescue and recovery efforts to aid the people of Papua New Guinea.&nbsp; The United States, through USAID, committed to provide field-level support including last-mile humanitarian logistics and distribution of humanitarian assistance provided by the ROK and Japan.&nbsp; We will continue to coordinate our humanitarian assistance and disaster relief in Papua New Guinea, to assist affected communities.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;We strongly support the themes of the Pacific Island Forum’s (PIF) 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent and reiterated our dedication to work closely with Pacific Island countries and the PIF as well as the Partners in the Blue Pacific to&nbsp;advance our shared objectives.&nbsp; We affirmed the importance of advancing secure and resilient communications infrastructure and committed to support digital connectivity in the Pacific Islands.The strong political, economic, and defense ties between our three countries are anchored and sustained by people-to-people connections, including educational and professional exchanges and vibrant cross-cultural influences in sports, the arts, and entertainment.&nbsp; To further strengthen these bonds of friendship, we underscored our support for the&nbsp;U.S.-ROK-Japan&nbsp;Trilateral Global Leadership Youth Summit, which will be held this summer in Busan.&nbsp; We look forward to subsequent youth summits in the following years and to establishing the program as a regular part of our public diplomacy initiatives.&nbsp; We also reaffirmed our commitment to advancing women’s economic empowerment at home and abroad, including through participation in the 2024 Trilateral Conference on Women’s Economic Empowerment to be held in Washington this summer.Building on the tremendous progress made under the trilateral framework so far, we instructed our teams to expeditiously develop parameters for a trilateral coordinating mechanism to further institutionalize our cooperation.At the conclusion of our dialogue, we committed to holding the next trilateral Vice Foreign Minister-Level Dialogue in the second half of this year in Seoul and look forward to the next Trilateral Leaders Meeting later this year.End text.						Tags																					Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs																																Indo-Pacific																															Japan																								Office of the Spokesperson																								South Korea
- Samoa Independence Day Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of StateOn behalf of the United States of America, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the Independent State of Samoa on the occasion of your 62nd anniversary of independence on June 1.The United States cherishes the enduring partnership we share with Samoa, founded on our shared values and commitment to upholding fundamental freedoms. Our close relationship continues to strengthen, fostering prosperity and cooperation between our nations.We remain committed to collaborating with Samoa in addressing the pressing challenges posed by the climate crisis, nurturing economic growth, and promoting the rule of law to ensure peace and stability both regionally and globally.In the coming years, we hope to further deepen the friendship and partnership between our peoples. May this national celebration be filled with joy and unity for all the people of Samoa.
- Deputy Secretary Campbell’s Meeting with Republic of Korea First Vice Foreign Minister Kim Office of the Spokesperson													HomeOffice of the SpokespersonPress Releases&#8230;Deputy Secretary Campbell’s Meeting with Republic of Korea First Vice Foreign Minister Kim				hide		if(window.jQuery) {		jQuery( document ).ready(function() {			if (jQuery(".bc_middle").hasClass("collapse")) {				jQuery(".bc_ellipse").click(function(){					jQuery(".bc_hide").toggleClass("visible");					jQuery(".bc_middle").toggle();					jQuery(".bc_ellipse").toggle();					jQuery(".bc_content").toggleClass("noflex");					jQuery(".block_breadcrumbs_content").toggleClass("noflex");				});				jQuery(".bc_hide").click(function(){					jQuery(".bc_hide").toggleClass("visible");					jQuery(".bc_middle").toggle();					jQuery(".bc_ellipse").toggle();					jQuery(".bc_content").toggleClass("noflex");					jQuery(".block_breadcrumbs_content").toggleClass("noflex");				});			} else {				jQuery(".bc_ellipse").hide();			}		});	}																										Deputy Secretary Campbell’s Meeting with Republic of Korea First Vice Foreign Minister Kim																																		Readout																														May 31, 2024																																							The below is attributable to Spokesperson Matthew Miller:Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell met with Republic of Korea First Vice Foreign Minister Kim Hong Kyun today in Washington, D.C. Deputy Secretary Campbell and Vice Foreign Minister Kim emphasized the crucial role of the U.S.-ROK Alliance in promoting peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region and globally. They also highlighted the importance of maintaining a strong U.S.-ROK-Japan trilateral relationship ahead of their May 31 trilateral meeting with Japanese Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Okano Masataka.During their discussion, Deputy Secretary Campbell and First Vice Foreign Minister Kim touched upon the expanding U.S.-ROK economic partnership and reaffirmed their commitment to working closely together to address global challenges while promoting shared democratic values. The two officials condemned the Democratic People&#8217;s Republic of Korea&#8217;s hostile rhetoric, actions, and ongoing human rights abuses. They also discussed support to Ukraine in the face of Russia’s brutal war and shared insights on the People’s Republic of China, emphasizing the need to maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and uphold the rules-based international order. They also addressed the ongoing efforts to provide humanitarian support to Gaza, highlighting the importance of international cooperation in alleviating the suffering of innocent civilians.						Tags																					Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs																								Deputy Secretary of State																								Office of the Spokesperson																								South Korea
- Deputy Secretary Campbell’s Participation in U.S.-Japan Strategic Diplomacy and Development Dialogue Office of the Spokesperson													HomeOffice of the SpokespersonPress Releases&#8230;Deputy Secretary Campbell’s Participation in U.S.-Japan Strategic Diplomacy and Development Dialogue				hide		if(window.jQuery) {		jQuery( document ).ready(function() {			if (jQuery(".bc_middle").hasClass("collapse")) {				jQuery(".bc_ellipse").click(function(){					jQuery(".bc_hide").toggleClass("visible");					jQuery(".bc_middle").toggle();					jQuery(".bc_ellipse").toggle();					jQuery(".bc_content").toggleClass("noflex");					jQuery(".block_breadcrumbs_content").toggleClass("noflex");				});				jQuery(".bc_hide").click(function(){					jQuery(".bc_hide").toggleClass("visible");					jQuery(".bc_middle").toggle();					jQuery(".bc_ellipse").toggle();					jQuery(".bc_content").toggleClass("noflex");					jQuery(".block_breadcrumbs_content").toggleClass("noflex");				});			} else {				jQuery(".bc_ellipse").hide();			}		});	}																										Deputy Secretary Campbell’s Participation in U.S.-Japan Strategic Diplomacy and Development Dialogue																																		Readout																														May 31, 2024																																							The below is attributable to Spokesperson Matthew Miller:Deputy Secretary of State Kurt M. Campbell met with Japanese Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Okano Masataka and USAID Deputy Administrator Isobel Coleman today in Washington, D.C. on the occasion of the first U.S.-Japan Strategic Diplomacy and Development Dialogue. President Biden and Prime Minister Kishida announced the Dialogue during PM Kishida&#8217;s April 10 visit to Washington, D.C. The Deputy Secretary, Vice Foreign Minister, and Deputy Administrator emphasized the significance of the new era of strategic global cooperation between the United States and Japan. They reinforced U.S. and Japanese commitments to collaborate with developing partners to address shared challenges. They also stressed the importance of quality infrastructure and sustainability for driving economic prosperity for all.						Tags																					Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs																								Japan																								Office of the Spokesperson																																U.S. Agency for International Development
- Assistant Secretary Stewart Travels to Singapore, Qatar Office of the SpokespersonAssistant Secretary of State for Arms Control, Deterrence, and Stability Mallory Stewart will travel to Singapore and Doha, Qatar, May 29-June 5.In Singapore, Assistant Secretary Stewart will serve as a Delegate to the International Institute for Strategic Studies’ (IISS) Shangri-La Dialogue: 21st Asia Security Summit.  The conference is Asia’s premier defense meeting for officials to discuss the region’s most pressing security challenges.In Doha, Assistant Secretary Stewart will attend the Third Arab Forum on Arms Control, Disarmament, and Non-Proliferation, co-hosted by the League of Arab States and the Qatari National Committee for the Prohibition of Weapons.   She will speak on a panel focused on regional and global disarmament trends.
- Deputy Secretary Campbell’s Meeting with PRC Executive Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu Office of the Spokesperson													HomeOffice of the SpokespersonPress Releases&#8230;Deputy Secretary Campbell’s Meeting with PRC Executive Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu				hide		if(window.jQuery) {		jQuery( document ).ready(function() {			if (jQuery(".bc_middle").hasClass("collapse")) {				jQuery(".bc_ellipse").click(function(){					jQuery(".bc_hide").toggleClass("visible");					jQuery(".bc_middle").toggle();					jQuery(".bc_ellipse").toggle();					jQuery(".bc_content").toggleClass("noflex");					jQuery(".block_breadcrumbs_content").toggleClass("noflex");				});				jQuery(".bc_hide").click(function(){					jQuery(".bc_hide").toggleClass("visible");					jQuery(".bc_middle").toggle();					jQuery(".bc_ellipse").toggle();					jQuery(".bc_content").toggleClass("noflex");					jQuery(".block_breadcrumbs_content").toggleClass("noflex");				});			} else {				jQuery(".bc_ellipse").hide();			}		});	}																										Deputy Secretary Campbell’s Meeting with PRC Executive Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu																																		Media Note																														May 31, 2024																																							Deputy Secretary of State Kurt M. Campbell hosted People’s Republic of China (PRC) Executive Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu for an official visit in Washington on May 30, 2024. The candid and constructive discussion was part of ongoing efforts to maintain open lines of communication between the United States and PRC and responsibly manage competition in the relationship. The Deputy Secretary emphasized that although the United States and PRC are in competition, both countries need to prevent miscalculation that could veer into conflict or confrontation. They discussed priorities in the bilateral relationship, and on regional and global issues, including areas of difference and areas of cooperation that matter most to the American people and the world. The Deputy Secretary and EVFM Ma discussed progress and implementation of commitments made by President Biden and President Xi at the Woodside Summit in November on advancing counternarcotics cooperation, military-to-military communication, talks on artificial intelligence risks and safety, and people-to-people exchanges.The Deputy Secretary underscored the United States’ strong concerns regarding the PRC’s destabilizing actions around Taiwan and in the Taiwan Strait that erode the status quo that has maintained regional peace and stability for decades. He raised U.S. serious concerns about PRC support to Russia’s defense industrial base undermining European security, and the PRC’s destabilizing actions in the East China Sea and South China Sea, including at Second Thomas Shoal. The two sides discussed the DPRK and the need to avoid further escalation in the Middle East. He raised concerns about PRC human rights abuses, including in Hong Kong. He underscored that it remains a U.S. priority to resolve the cases of U.S. citizens wrongfully detained or subject to coercive exit bans in the PRC. The Deputy Secretary reiterated that the United States will continue to stand up for our interests and values and those of our allies and partners.Both sides reaffirmed the importance of maintaining open channels of communication at all times and committed to continue diplomacy and consultations in the United States and the PRC in the period ahead.						Tags																					Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs																								China																								Deputy Secretary of State																								Office of the Spokesperson
- Hong Kong’s National Security Law Trial Matthew Miller, Department Spokesperson													HomeOffice of the SpokespersonPress Releases&#8230;Hong Kong&#8217;s National Security Law Trial				hide		if(window.jQuery) {		jQuery( document ).ready(function() {			if (jQuery(".bc_middle").hasClass("collapse")) {				jQuery(".bc_ellipse").click(function(){					jQuery(".bc_hide").toggleClass("visible");					jQuery(".bc_middle").toggle();					jQuery(".bc_ellipse").toggle();					jQuery(".bc_content").toggleClass("noflex");					jQuery(".block_breadcrumbs_content").toggleClass("noflex");				});				jQuery(".bc_hide").click(function(){					jQuery(".bc_hide").toggleClass("visible");					jQuery(".bc_middle").toggle();					jQuery(".bc_ellipse").toggle();					jQuery(".bc_content").toggleClass("noflex");					jQuery(".block_breadcrumbs_content").toggleClass("noflex");				});			} else {				jQuery(".bc_ellipse").hide();			}		});	}																										Hong Kong&#8217;s National Security Law Trial																																		Press Statement																														May 31, 2024																																							The United States is deeply concerned by the guilty verdicts announced in the National Security Law trial of pro-democracy organizers in Hong Kong. &nbsp;The defendants were&nbsp;subjected to a politically motivated prosecution&nbsp;and jailed simply for peacefully participating in political activities protected under the Basic Law of Hong Kong. &nbsp;In response, the Department of State is taking steps to impose new visa restrictions on PRC and Hong Kong officials responsible for implementing the National Security Law, pursuant to Section 212(a)(3)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act.&nbsp;Instead of imposing harsh sentences that would further erode confidence in Hong Kong&#8217;s judicial system, Hong Kong authorities should immediately release these unjustly detained individuals. &nbsp;We urge the PRC government and Hong Kong authorities to uphold Hong Kong’s judicial independence, cease the use of vague national security laws to curb peaceful dissent, and restore the openness that was so crucial to Hong Kong’s vitality and competitiveness as an international business hub.						Tags																					Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs																								China																																Criminal Justice																															Hong Kong																								Office of the Spokesperson