PHUKET (AFP) - United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton Wednesday signed a landmark friendship pact with Southeast Asian nations.

The signing in the Thai island of Phuket, on the eve of Asia's biggest annual security forum, marked the US accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia.

By inking the pact, Clinton is sending a strong signal of Washington's desire to deepen ties and counter China's increasing influence, diplomats have said.

AFP, July 22, 2009