Pompeo rips into China, urges ASEAN to trust in USBANGKOK, Thailand — America's top diplomat Mike Pompeo on Friday implored Southeast Asian nations to trust in US values, delivering a withering takedown of China's leadership of a region it considers its backyard. Beijing considers Southeast Asia as its "neighbourhood" where its economic, political and military might has given it primacy, with massive infrastructure and investment schemes striating the region. Serving up a sharp rebuke on China's drive into Southeast Asia, Pompeo said: "We're not building roads to pave over your national sovereignty... We don't fund bridges to close gaps of loyalty." In short panel comments after his speech, Pompeo accused China of "protectionism" and "predatory tactics" to give its companies an advantage in global markets. Pompeo is in Bangkok to attend the Association of Southeast Asian nations (ASEAN) foreign ministers meeting.

Source: Philippine Star August 02, 2019 03:22 UTC