Vice President Kamala Harris is representing the United States at a summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in place of President Joe Biden. The president's absence disappointed some, but the White House emphasized that it remained committed to the region, which Harris reiterated in her interview. “We as Americans, I believe, have a very significant interest, both in terms of our security but also our prosperity, today and in the future, in developing and strengthening these relationships,” she said. Southeast Asia is a critical arena for the rivalry between the U.S. and China, particularly when it comes to the South China Sea. One-third of global shipping traverses its waters. Beijing recently released a new government map that emphasizes its disputed territorial claims to the sea. “It’s a violation of the law. And that’s where I put that map,” Harris told the AP. ASEAN has struggled to make progress on issues such as the military coup in Myanmar, but Harris said the organization “absolutely” remains a critical forum.