US President Joe Biden has told ASEAN leaders that the United States will continue to strengthen its commitment to the region where China is also seeking to expand its influence.

ASEAN has elevated the US this year to "comprehensive strategic partnership" status. This puts Washington on the same level as China, which was granted the same position last year.

President Biden said, "ASEAN is the heart of my administration's Indo-Pacific strategy, and we continue to strengthen our commitment to work in lockstep with an empowered, unified ASEAN."

During the talks, Biden reconfirmed his administration's pledge to invest in the region.

He said, in the past year, his administration has announced over 250 million dollars in new initiatives for ASEAN. For next year, he has requested 850 million dollars in assistance.

Biden said, "We're continuing to build on that progress, following through on our commitments and launching concrete new initiatives and further strengthen ASEAN and increase connectivity across Southeast Asia."

During his visit, Biden plans to discuss with the group's leaders the Russian invasion of Ukraine and its global impacts, as well as issues surrounding the South China Sea and the situation in Myanmar.