Asia Pacific Voices » barack obama

Obama’s Nuclear Summit Makes Headway

Nikki Soo — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 04:31:10 +0000

Obama’s fight against Iran’s nuclear proliferation seemed off to a promising start. Obama set the tone with one-on-one meetings with various world leaders, procuring a verbal promise from China’s president Hu Jintao to engage in sanction negotiations against Iran. In a 90-minute conversation before the start of the nuclear security summit, the two leaders also discussed a currency dispute between the two nations but without announcing specific progress toward resolving it. Confirmation from Ukraine to eradicate its stockpile of highly enriched uranium by the time of the next nuclear security summit in 2012 was also received.

The landmark Nuclear Security Summit comprised of representatives from 47 countries, attempting to craft an agreement on keeping nuclear weapons out of terrorist hands by securing stocks of fissile material such as highly enriched uranium and plutonium.

Earlier in the week, Obama approved a new nuclear policy for the US, devising nuclear arsenal cuts, refrainment from nuclear tests and use of nuclear weapons against countries that did not have them. The sessions close on Tuesday with a joint statement on efforts to prevent the transfer of nuclear materials and technology and to keep them locked up.

Sources:
Obama Takes Non-Nuclear Pledge to World Leaders [The Associated Press, 11 Apr 2010]
Obama, Hu, Press on Strong Words for Iran [The New York Times, 12 Apr 2010]
Ukraine, ‘in Uranium Pledge’ at World Summit [BBC News, 12 Apr 2010]
White House Secures China’s Support for Iran’s Sanctions [The New York Times, 12 Apr 2010]

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Timeline: straining of US-China relations in 2010

Jadey Huray — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 08:22:28 +0000

In the initial months of 2010, there was a shift in U.S. strategy, with the U.S. seeming reluctant to cede to China any diplomatic ground at all. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton criticized China for censoring the Internet, in the wake of Google’s allegations about Chinese hackers. The Obama administration went ahead with weapons sales to Taiwan and a meeting with the Dalai Lama, despite threats of sanctions. In February, the Obama administration revived pressure on China to stop artificially depressing its currency. So far, the rows have not gone beyond rhetoric, but they signal that ties are fraying between the two giants.

Date:	Summary:
Jan-06-2010	US President Barack Obama who was bound by the 1979 Taiwan Relations Act (an act binding the US to ensure Taiwan can respond to Chinese threats) approved the sale of weapons including missiles, ships, helicopters, of worth US$6.4 billion to Taiwan.
Jan-11-2010	China deliberately releases details of a ballistic missile defense capabilities test, in a move, some experts say is supposed to be a reaction to the weapons sale.
Jan-15-2010	Google threatens to withdraw from China over email hacking and censorship. The US government reacts by criticizing China and expressing its intention to lodge a formal complaint to Beijing. The event reignites debate regarding human rights issues in China.
Jan-29-2010	The US warns China with threats of diplomatic and economic isolation if it did not agree to tougher new sanctions against Iran (China’s third largest source of crude oil) to halt its nuclear program.
Jan-30-2010	In retaliation to the US arms package for Taiwan, China suspends military contact with the US and imposes sanctions on companies selling weapons to Taiwan. Chinese officials maintain that Taiwan is a part of its territory and thus must be reunited with the mainland.
Feb-03-2010	Obama stated last week that countries that undervalue their currency, in an indirect jab at China, put the US at a “huge competitive disadvantage”. He also hinted at tougher action against such countries.
Feb-06-2010	The White House confirms that US President Barack Obama will meet with the Dalai Lama (the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader), when he arrives in Washington on February 17, for a 10-day US visit. The move sparks China to reaffirm that it “resolutely opposes” such meetings with the alleged separationist.
Feb-10-2010	Continued US surveillance in the South China Sea has also raised tensions. The surveillance ships operate within China’s disputed economic zone (off-limits to foreign patrols), approximately 370 km off the Chinese coast. In March 2009, Chinese ships challenged a US spy ship.

Indian PM pitches for growing US ties

SIIA — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 02:03:50 +0000

WASHINGTON: Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday appealed for wide-ranging cooperation with the United States on areas such as climate change and defence, as he started a high-profile state visit.

President Barack Obama invited Singh on the first full-fledged state visit since he entered the White House in January, a sign of the rapidly warming ties between the world’s two largest democracies.

Singh was due to head on Tuesday to the White House for the pomp of a state visit, including a red-carpet welcome on the South Lawn and a black-tie dinner that is one of Washington’s most coveted invitations.

As US and Indian flags flew across Pennsylvania Avenue connecting the White House and the Capitol, Singh started his visit by meeting with business leaders – who he said were crucial to building the two countries’ ties.

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Source: AFP (through Channel NewsAsia), “Indian PM pitches for growing US ties,” November 24, 2009, http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_asiapacific/view/1020116/1/.html

Dalai Lama says Obama not soft on China

SIIA — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 02:34:21 +0000

NEW DELHI — The Dalai Lama defended President Barack Obama from criticism that he has been too soft on China, saying Sunday that the U.S. leader just has a different approach to dealing with the Asian giant.

Obama made his first trip to China as president last week and has faced criticism that he didn’t do enough to press Beijing on Tibet during his meetings with senior Chinese officials.

“Obama is not soft on China; just has a different style,” the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader said in an interview aired on Indian television.

The Dalai Lama did not elaborate on those comments, but he did address criticism that Obama didn’t meet him when he visited the United States in October.

“I am not disappointed that Obama has not met me yet,” the Dalai Lama told New Delhi Television.

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Source: Associated Press, “Dalai Lama says Obama not soft on China,” November 22, 2009, http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jr27W4Jo17ImNVVaY1GeNp0Ld7UwD9C4K1G00

Obama wants progress on Korea-US FTA

SIIA — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:34:05 +0000

SEOUL, Nov. 19 (Xinhua) — U.S. President Barack Obama expressed hope to work out details on the pending free trade agreement (FTA) with South Korea, eyeing its ratification as early as next year, South Korean media reported Thursday, quoting the president’s interview with a U.S. broadcaster.

“We are going to be discussing this with South Korea. I want to get the deal done,” Obama was quoted as telling Fox News, when asked if he thinks the South Korea-U.S. FTA would be passed in Congress.

“The question is whether we can get it done in the beginning of2010, whether we can get it done at the end of 2010. There’s still some details that need to be worked out,” Obama said, adding that he thinks it is a potential good deal for U.S. exporters.

However, he also expressed concerns on the deal, saying “there’s certain sectors of the economy that aren’t dealt with as effectively and that’s something that I’m going to be talking to President Lee (Myung-bak) about.”

Although Obama did not elaborate, it seemed Obama referred to an imbalance in auto trade and restricted shipments of U.S. beef, South Korean news channel YTN said.

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Source: Xinhua, “Obama expresses hope to hasten S. Korea-U.S. FTA ratification: media,” November 19, 2009, http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-11/19/content_12490789.htm

US, Japan Officials Meet over Base Row

SIIA — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 08:26:53 +0000

TOKYO: The United States and Japan held talks on Tuesday over relocating an American military base but made little progress on resolving a row that has strained ties between the allies, officials said.

Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama suggested he would follow any decision by the working group, which includes Japan’s foreign and defence ministers as well as US ambassador John Roos and US Assistant Secretary of Defence Wallace Gregson.

“Once a conclusion is reached after talks between Japan and America, I think it should obviously be accepted as the decision that carries the most weight,” Hatoyama told reporters.

Little “visible progress” was made in their first gathering, with the US side pushing for the existing plan to be implemented, a Japanese official said.

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Source: Agence France Presse (through Channel NewsAsia), “Japan, US officials meet over base row”, November 17, 2009, http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_asiapacific/view/1018828/1/.html

Obama meets Wen as trip winds down

SIIA — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 08:16:01 +0000

BEIJING: US President Barack Obama on Wednesday met Premier Wen Jiabao for the last official talks of his trip to China, aimed at solidifying ties with the rising Asian giant.

Obama and Wen hailed efforts by both sides to build a new, in-depth partnership as they sat down for discussions before a working lunch in Beijing.

“Dialogue is better than confrontation and partnership is better than rivalry,” Wen said in his opening remarks.

“I sincerely hope that by making this visit to China, Mr President, we will be able to take the comprehensive, cooperative relationship between the two countries to a new level.”

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Source: Agence France Presse (through Channel NewsAsia), “Obama meets Wen as trip winds down,” November 18, 2009, http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_asiapacific/view/1018965/1/.html