The United States of America has assured the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) that it is standing by Asian-Americans as violence against the said group grew in the wake of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) made the report after the Philippines joined the 34th Association of Southeast Asian Nations-United States (ASEAN-US) Dialogue held via video conference on May 6.
According to the DFA, Ambassador Atul Keshap, head of the United States delegation, spoke on the rising incidents of violence committed against Asian-Americans during the dialogue.
" stated that racism has no place in the United States," the DFA statement read.
"He said the Biden-Harris administration will continue to stand up for the right of all people to be safe and to be treated with dignity in the United States and everywhere around the world," it furthered.
Last month, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. welcomed the passage by the US Senate of a hate crimes bill to combat violence against Asian-Americans.
The US Senate overwhelmingly passed on Friday (Philippine time) the said bill with 94-1 votes with Missouri Senator Josh Hawley the only no vote.
In a tweet, Locsin said America is now restoring "moral preeminence."
"Thank you, America; more to the point, America thanks you because you are trying to restore American moral preeminence," he said.
Thank you, America; more to the point, America thanks you because you are trying to restore American moral preeminence. https://t.co/OM9fNZiIbH
— Teddy Locsin Jr. (@teddyboylocsin) April 23, 2021
Attacks on Asian-Americans in the US have skyrocketed during the pandemic. On March 19, Locsin said hate crimes against Asians were a serious issue.
On March 30, Locsin was enraged after a 65-year-old Filipino woman was assaulted near Times Square in New York and was told that she did not belong in the US.
He said these actions will influence Philippine foreign policy.
This is gravely noted and will influence Philippine foreign policy. I might as well say it, so no one on the other side can say, “We didn’t know you took racial brutality against Filipinos at all seriously.” We do. https://t.co/CCDAo6h4rY
— Teddy Locsin Jr. (@teddyboylocsin) March 31, 2021