Washington: US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will travel to Japan to express his condolences on the death of former Japanese PM Shinzo Abe, who was assassinated on July 8, according to State Department Spokesperson Ned Price.
Blinken will travel to Bali, Indonesia, Bangkok, Thailand, and Tokyo, Japan, from July 6-11.
On Saturday, Price in a statement said that Blinken will first travel to Bali, Indonesia, to attend the G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting.
During the visit, the state department spokesperson will be reinforcing the commitment to working with international partners to confront global challenges, including food and energy insecurity and the threat Russia’s continued war against Ukraine presents to the international order.
Price said, “In addition to attending G20-related engagements, the Secretary will hold a bilateral meeting with Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi. Among other bilateral engagements, Secretary Blinken will also meet with the People’s Republic of China (PRC) State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on the margins of the G20.”
In Bangkok, Thailand, Secretary Blinken will meet with Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai.
The spokesperson said, “He looks forward to discussing a range of issues, including building on the successes of Thailand’s APEC 2022 agenda during our 2023 APEC host year, expanding health and climate cooperation, and addressing the crisis in Burma.
“He will also meet with alumni of US exchange programs. The US-Thai Alliance is essential for advancing the President’s Indo-Pacific Strategy for a free and open, connected, prosperous, secure, and resilient region.”
Blinken will also travel to Tokyo, Japan, to offer condolences to the Japanese people on the death of former Prime Minister Abe Shinzo and to meet with senior Japanese officials.
