Kerry: Shutdown will not diminish US commitment to Asia

The ongoing US government shutdown will not reduce the country's commitment to Asia, US Secretary of State John Kerry said Saturday on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, dpa reported. Kerry described the political crisis triggered by a government stand-off with the US Congress as "a moment of silliness" that would soon end. "Do not mistake this momentary episode as anything more than a moment of politics," Kerry said on the sidelines of the meeting on the Indonesian resort island of Bali. "Nothing will diminish our commitment to Asia and we will continue to fulfil our responsibilities and our engagement around the world," he said.