Obama makes several firsts in Asia trip

President Barack Obama sets a number of firsts on his foremost presidential visit to Asia on Thursday to discuss issues including economic and political ties with East Asia.

According to CNN, Obama will focus on the significance of U.S.-Asia partnerships, particularly regarding climate change, the war in Afghanistan, nuclear weapons development and economic growth. Read full article here.

The CNN article said the eight-day trip to five cities takes the president to Japan, China, Singapore and South Korea and his first appearance of a U.S. president at the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations meeting.

CNN stated that Obama’s presence at the ASEAN summit will not include talks with Myanmar’s prime minister. The U.S. has previously refused talks because of Myanmar’s oppressive, military-run government.

“We’re going to meet with all 10 and we’re not going to punish the other nine simply because Burma is in the room, but this is not a bilateral [meeting],” said Jeffrey Bader, National Security Council senior director for East Asian affairs.

What makes Obama’s visit different from U.S. presidential trips to Asia in the past is his childhood connection. He lived in Indonesia from 1967 to 1971, and as a part of his travel itinerary, Obama will meet with Indonesia President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

Ben Rhodes, deputy national security adviser for strategic communications, said he viewed Obama’s “Asia-Pacific orientation” (another first for an American president) as an advantage.

He said Obama “understands that the future of our prosperity and our security is very much tied to this part of the world.”

One of the tough topics of discussion on Obama’s plate is the bilateral agreement with Japan about the relocation of the Futenma Air Base in Okinawa that has already stirred up some concern on the U.S. side. Obama and Japan Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama have said they expect to strengthen bilateral ties. However, members of Hatoyama’s Cabinet want to build stronger ties with the rest of Asia instead of the U.S. and move the air base out of Okinawa and even Japan.

Bader also mentions difficulties will ensue in meetings with China’s President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao. A large portion of discussion will revolve around China’s largest growing economy, but Obama plans to bring up North Korea’s missile tests, freedom of expression and religion, human rights and the treatment of Tibet and the exiled Dalai Lama.

“We see it as a relationship where we’re obviously going to have differences, where we are going to be competitors in certain respects,” Bader said. “But we want to maximize areas where we can work together because the global challenges will simply not be met if we don’t.

As for North Korea, CNN said the State Department announced Tuesday that it intends to hold talks in Pyongyang about putting a stop to its nuclear weapons program at the end of the year. During his visit, Obama will continue to strategize with other countries on how to deal with North Korea.

The president will not spend his entire tour through Asia in bilateral meetings and official conversations with Asian leaders. He will attend a “town hall” assembly in Shanghai, sightsee in Beijing and meet Japan’s imperial family.