Observers are questioning the US commitment to Southeast Asia after President Joe Biden announced that he would skip the ASEAN summit and send Vice President Kamala Harris instead. Some analysts believe that this decision may indicate that the US does not believe ASEAN centrality helps counter China's influence in the region. However, Biden is expected to visit Hanoi to upgrade ties with Vietnam, which is seen as a useful regional ally in the face of rising tensions with China. The White House defends Biden's Southeast Asia engagement and highlights the administration's strong ties and alliances in the region.

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