US commitment to Asia not diminished by shutdown: Kerry
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Nusa Dua, Indonesia - The ongoing US government shutdown will not reduce the country's commitment to Asia, US Secretary of State John Kerry said Saturday on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC).
Kerry described the political crisis triggered by a government stand-off with the US Congress as "a moment of silliness" that would soon end.
"Do not mistake this momentary episode as anything more than a moment of politics," Kerry said on the sidelines of the meeting on the Indonesian resort island of Bali.
"Nothing will diminish our commitment to Asia and we will continue to fulfil our responsibilities and our engagement around the world," he said.
The shutdown has forced US President Barack Obama to cancel his trip to Asia, including to Bali, where he had been due to attend the APEC leaders' summit on Monday and Tuesday.
Analysts say the cancellation could undermine Obama's much-touted plan to pivot US foreign policy more towards Asia.
