Kerry: US to intensify engagement with ASEAN

US Secretary of State John Kerry on Monday said Washington remains committed to ensuring peace and stability in South-East Asia. "We are committed to ensuring a peaceful, stable and prosperous South-east Asia," he said at a meeting with ministers of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN), according to DPA. To those who were wondering about continued US support in the region, the answer was "not just yes, but we hope to increase the efforts," he said. "Maritime security is a concern because your region is home to the world's busiest ports and most critical sea lanes," he said. "What happens here matters to the United States but it also matters to everybody else, it matters to the global community." Kerry said the US hopes to see immediate progress in the efforts of China and the 10-nation ASEAN to come up with a binding code of conduct to ease tensions in disputed areas of the South China Sea.