Hanoi (VNA) – US President Donald Trump has expressedhis wish to further tighten ties with the Association of Southeast AsianNations (ASEAN) member countries.

Meeting ASEAN leaders on the sidelines of the 31st ASEANSummit held in Manila, the capital city of the Philippines, on November 13,Trump vowed to promote his vision for "a free and open Indo-Pacificregion".

Highlighting the 40th anniversary of the US-ASEAN relationsthis year, Trump said his administration remains committed to ASEAN's centralrole as a regional forum for total cooperation.

This diplomatic partnership advances the security andprosperity of the American people and the people of all Indo-Pacific nations,he said.

In a draft of the chairman's statement to be issued afterthe meeting, the two sides expressed grave concern about the unprecedentednumber of nuclear and ballistic missile tests the Democratic People’s Republicof Korea (DPRK) conducted last year in violation of the UN Security Councilresolutions banning it from conducting nuclear and missile activities.

The US and ASEAN leaders criticised the DPRK's disregard forinternational law, saying it calls into question the country's sincerity in havingmeaningful dialogue on the real issues facing the Korean Peninsula.

The same day, spokesperson of the Philippine President HarryRoque said ASEAN member states wish to reach a peaceful solution to disputes inthe East Sea.

Earlier, Trump had a meeting with Australian Prime MinisterMalcolm Turnbull, focusing on the Korean issue and the Indo-Pacific region.

He also met with Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, whosecountry holds ASEAN's rotating chairmanship this year.

The Philippines is the last leg of Trump's Asia tour, whichhas taken him to Japan, the Republic of Korea, China and Vietnam. It is hisfirst trip to the region since taking office in January.-VNA