Asia: U.S. Secretary of State first trip abroad to Asia

Hillary Clinton will travel to Asia on Sunday for her first trip abroad as U.S. Secretary of State, in a diplomatic gesture that shows a shift of priorities in American foreign policy. Speaking at the Asia Society in New York on Friday Clinton announced the Asian region would be a priority for the Obama administration and is “of vital importance” to the U.S. today and in the future. Her first stop will be Tokyo, where local media have claimed, but not verified, Clinton would meet with opposition Democratic Party of Japan leader amidst political tension. Clinton will then travel to Indonesia, South Korea and finally China, where she will push for more engagement and cooperation on economic policies and environmental issues. North Korea will also be a key topic of discussion, as Beijing plays a key role in slowing Pyongyang’s nuclear program.

Links and Sources:

Speech at the Asia Society - State.gov

Japanese papers report Clinton meeting with opposition leader:

Mainichi

Japan Today