The Latest Breaking News from Kurt Campbell

Trip had been delayed amid ‘spy balloon’ incident that underscored rising tensions between the superpowers.

WASHINGTON: Thailand is in a "delicate phase" after the May 14 election and the goal of the United States is to support an "effective, stable, democratic government" there, a top US official for the Indo-Pacific region said on Tuesday.

Thailand is in a "delicate phase" after its election last month and the U.S. goal is to support an "effective, stable, democratic government" there, the top U.S. official for the Indo-Pacific region said on Tuesday.

U.S. Indo-Pacific coordinator Kurt Campbell said on Tuesday that lines of communication with China "are opening up," but the potential for miscalculation as Chinese military forces increasingly operate near U.S. forces is real and growing.

Senior White House official says president hears region’s concerns and ‘does not want conflict’ with China

Efforts to build a floor under U.S.-China relations have yet to be successful and coming months will determine if it is possible to reestablish constructive diplomacy with Beijing, a top White House official said on Thursday, stressing the need for "Cold War"-era hotlines and other crisis mechanisms.

‘I’ve indicated we will be willing to explore it, and that’s as far as that has gone’

Defence minister says government ‘willing to explore’ participating in ‘pillar two’ of defence deal founded by Australia, UK and US

United States President Joe Biden is due in Sydney for a meeting with other Quad leaders in late May, with speculation mounting it might be part of a wider regional tour.

During a visit to Canberra, Samoan Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata'afa warns that China is not the only major power that may want to secure further military access to the Pacific "under the guise of protecting assets".

The foreign minister's trip to Beijing is a chance to reaffirm the relationship, but comes with tricky topics.