US News

Obama heads to Japan, China, Singapore, South Korea in November

Oct 8, 2009, 10:57 GMT

Washington - US President Barack Obama will embark on a nine-day tour of Asia next month, including stops in Japan, China, South Korea and Singapore, the White House said Wednesday.

Obama will leave on November 11, heading to Tokyo first for two days of meetings, including with Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama. The talks are likely to involve the new government's call for a renegotiation of the long-standing US-Japanese alliance.

Next Obama will travel to Singapore for the annual Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit from November 13-15.

On the sidelines of the summit, Obama also plans to hold a first- ever meeting with the 10 Asian leaders that make up the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN), according to White House spokesman Robert Gibbs.

Obama will then begin a four-day visit to Shanghai and Beijing for critical talks with Chinese officials, including President Hu Jintao, on a range of issues including the global economy, climate change and North Korea's nuclear programme.

Obama will end his trip in South Korea from November 18-19. Talks are likely to be dominated by efforts to end North Korea's nuclear activities. Obama will also meet with US troops stationed on the Korean peninsula.