WASHINGTON, 29 October 2021, (TON): President Joe Biden and China's Premier Li Keqiang will join an annual summit of 18 Asia-Pacific nations by video in a region where the world powers have dueled over trade, Taiwan, democracy, human rights and Beijing's increasingly assertive actions in disputed territories.

Russian President Vladimir Putin will also speak at the East Asia Summit, a wide-ranging forum on political, security and economic issues organized by the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

The World Health Organization is expected to brief the leaders on the pandemic, which has set back the economies of the 18 countries representing more than half of the world's population and accounting for over 60% of global GDP.

A White House statement said “Biden will reaffirm U.S. support for the ASEAN-led regional architecture and discuss his vision for working together with allies and partners to address issues facing the Indo-Pacific region.”

It was the first time since 2017 that a U.S. president is attending the summit, part of three-day high-level meetings hosted by Brunei, ASEAN's chair this year.

During a separate meeting with ASEAN leaders, “Biden announced a $100 million initiative to beef up U.S. engagement with the region in the face of China's growth as a national security and economic adversary. Biden called the U.S. relationship with the bloc "essential."

The funding will cover health spending, a new climate initiative, education and programs to bolster economic recovery.