tags - Sinar Daily

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is the most senior US official to visit the Southeast Asian nation -- a treaty-bound ally of the United States -- since Marcos took office on June 30.

Beijing has reacted furiously to a visit by US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to the island, which it claims as its territory and has vowed to retake, by force if necessary.

This handout taken and released by Taiwan's Presidential Office on August 3, 2022 shows US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (L) receiving the Order of Propitious Clouds with Special Grand Cordon from Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen at the Presidential Office in Taipei. (Photo by Handout / Taiwan Presidential Office / AFP)

Democracy activist Kyaw Min Yu - better known as "Jimmy" and Phyo Zeya Thaw, a former lawmaker from Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD). - AFP Photo

People watch the hearse transporting the body of late former Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe as it leaves Zojoji Temple in Tokyo on July 12, 2022. (Photo by Philip FONG / AFP)

This handout photo taken and released on March 27, 2022 by the Myanmar Military Information Team shows Chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing attending a ceremony to mark the country's 77th Armed Forces Day in Naypyidaw. (Photo by Handout / MYANMAR MILITARY INFORMATION TEAM / AFP)

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken urged Sri Lanka's leaders to find long-term solutions to address the country's woes

Abe has been pronounced dead after he was shot at a campaign event earlier today. (KAZUHIRO NOGI /AFP FILE PIX)

Abe is showing no vital signs after being taken to hospital following an apparent attack at a campaign event in the Nara region, Japanese media reported. (KAZUHIRO NOGI / AFP FILE PIX)

Economists said an increase in interest rate is inevitable due to skyrocketing prices of food and goods at the moment which has become the main bone of contention among Malaysians. - Photo: BERNAMA