By Michael Martina and Mikhail FloresMANILA, July 23 (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio reassured Asian allies that a U.S. pursuit of positive ties with Beijing did not mean they were being abandoned, as top diplomats joined a regional security gathering on Thursday held amid an escalating Middle East conflict.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Wang will join the ASEAN-led meeting in the coming days and could meet on the sidelines

Marco Rubio arrives at ASEAN talks dominated by China tensions and the Iran war, as Southeast Asian governments increasingly weigh strategic partnerships against concerns over…