US defence secretary to visit Southeast Asia

US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel will travel Thursday to Southeast Asia from August 22 to 30, Pentagon Press Secretary George Little said in a statement Monday. Secretary Hagel will begin his trip in Hawaii, where he will meet with Commander Admiral Samuel Locklear of the U.S. Pacific Command and with United States Marines. He will then travel to Malaysia August 24 to 26, followed by Indonesia August 26 to 27. From August 27 to 29, Hagel will meet with defense counterparts from across the Asia-Pacific region in Brunei. On August 28, Hagel will meet with Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Defense Ministers, and on August 29, he will participate in the ASEAN Defense Ministers (ADMM-Plus) meeting. Hagel will conclude his trip in the Philippines August 29 and will return to Washington August 30.