WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The State Department began firing more than 1,350 U.S.-based employees on Friday as the administration of President Donald Trump presses ahead with an unprecedented overhaul of its diplomatic corps, a move critics say will undermine U.S. ability to defend and promote U.S. interests abroad.

In connection with the departmental reorganization … the department is streamlining domestic operations to focus on diplomatic priorities.”

State Department to release letter to all employees Thursday evening informing them that it's officially moving to implement “targeted reduction in domestic workforce.”

Secretary of State Marco Rubio insists he is streamlining a bloated department, but critics warn the cost to America’s standing and influence could be high.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio began mass firings at the State Department on Monday, part of a reorganization plan to form a leaner foreign policy force that, he argues, will allow the United

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, on the sidelines of an ASEAN meeting. The United States and China disagree on various issues, including trade, Taiwan and Russia's war in Ukraine.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio met counterparts in Southeast Asia during his first visit to the region since taking office.

There is a possiblity that the President of the United States, Donald Trump, will attend the 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur this October, according to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. He said discussions on the matter were underway to finalise the date for the ASEAN-US Special Summit,