Blinken says U.S. to advance alliances to ensure free Indo-Pacific

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Tuesday the United States would advance a free and open Indo-Pacific and deepen its treaty alliances with Japan, Australia, Thailand and the Philippines.

In a speech at a university during a visit to Indonesia, Blinken said everyone has a stake in keeping the region free from coercion and intimidation. The United States and allies would press Myanmar's junta to end violence, free detainees and return to democracy, he said.