China News Agency, Washington, March 10 (Reporter Sha Hanting) The US State Department and the Department of Defense issued a statement on the 10th local time that US Secretary of State Brinken and Secretary of Defense Austin will visit Japan and South Korea in the near future, and Austin will also visit India.

This will be the first foreign visit after the inauguration of the U.S. Secretary of State and the Secretary of Defense.

　　US State Department spokesperson Price said in a statement that the purpose of this visit is to strengthen relations with allies and strengthen cooperation to promote peace, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region and the world.

　　The statement said that Secretary of State Blincoln and Secretary of Defense Austin will attend the meeting of the US-Japan Security Consultation Committee in Tokyo, Japan from 16 to 17 this month.

Brinken will meet with Japanese Foreign Minister and other senior officials to discuss bilateral relations and global issues.

Brinken will also hold roundtable meetings with the Japanese business community and the media online.

　　The statement also said that Brinken and Austin will attend the "2+2" meeting between the foreign ministers of the United States and South Korea and the defense ministers in Seoul, South Korea from 17 to 18 this month.

Brinken will meet with South Korean Foreign Minister and other senior officials, and will hold roundtable meetings with South Korean youth leaders and reporters online.

　　The Ministry of National Defense said in a statement issued on the same day that in addition to Japan and South Korea, Defense Secretary Austin will also visit India and will meet with senior officials such as the Indian Defense Secretary to exchange views on further strengthening defense cooperation and addressing regional challenges.

　　Brinken and Austin posted on social media on the same day, expressing their expectation for the upcoming first foreign visit, and said they would be committed to promoting peace, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region.

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