BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Brunei — Secretary of State John F. Kerry apologized Wednesday for President Obama’s absence at a gathering that has become a testing ground for US outreach to Southeast Asian nations rattled by China’s growing assertiveness.
Obama was supposed to lead a special US session with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, many of whose members are nervous about China’s intentions but also reluctant to appear to side against a powerful neighbor and trading partner.
‘‘I bring you both President Obama’s sincerest greetings and his apologies for not being able to be here,” Kerry said at the beginning of a meeting with the ASEAN leaders. ‘‘You all understand why.’’
Later in the day, Kerry stood in for Obama at a meeting with China’s number two leader, who appeared to make oblique reference to territorial disputes with several nations in the South China Sea, and to the contest with the United States for influence.
‘‘I’m sure that we are all committed to living with each other in harmony, and discussing jointly those issues of common interest,’’ Chinese Premier Li Keqiang told Kerry at the start of the meeting Obama had planned to hold on the sidelines of a pair of Asian leaders’ gatherings here.
While Obama remains in Washington dealing with the budget impasse, the Asian diplomatic gatherings highlighted the complex aims of the administration’s policy for the region, known variously as a strategic ‘‘pivot’’ or ‘‘rebalance.’’
On one hand, the United States is not hiding its attempt to link Asian partners under the US security umbrella, which China considers a challenge. On the other, Obama has been focusing on improving relations with China, even hosting President Xi Jinping on a visit to California in June.
Kerry has also had several recent meetings with China’s foreign minister and saw Xi twice this week for short talks outside the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation forum, which met in Indonesia.
‘‘I think we’ve really been able to find ways to define this relationship a little bit more and find ways to cooperate on some of the critical issues between us,’’ Kerry said. ‘‘I know President Obama very much wanted to be here to be able to continue that dialogue.’’
The US-ASEAN session has become something of a showcase for the South China Sea disputes and the division over a proposed ‘‘code of conduct’’ for ASEAN nations and China to govern activity in the South China Sea.