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Obama at Asean summit as sea row rumbles | Obama at Asean summit as sea row rumbles |
(about 3 hours later) | |
US President Barack Obama is attending a regional summit in Cambodia, with trade pacts and rumbling tensions over the South China Sea set to dominate. | US President Barack Obama is attending a regional summit in Cambodia, with trade pacts and rumbling tensions over the South China Sea set to dominate. |
The East Asia summit is part of regional Asean talks. Japanese, Chinese and Australian leaders are also there. | The East Asia summit is part of regional Asean talks. Japanese, Chinese and Australian leaders are also there. |
Mr Obama's arrival on Monday came amid fractious debate on the maritime row between China and its Asian neighbours. | Mr Obama's arrival on Monday came amid fractious debate on the maritime row between China and its Asian neighbours. |
On Tuesday the US president met Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao but did not refer to the row in public comments. | On Tuesday the US president met Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao but did not refer to the row in public comments. |
The "co-operative and constructive approach" the US and China had taken to ties served both countries, Mr Obama said, but "clear rules of the road" were needed for international trade. | The "co-operative and constructive approach" the US and China had taken to ties served both countries, Mr Obama said, but "clear rules of the road" were needed for international trade. |
Mr Wen, for his part, said economic co-operation would be enhanced "as a means to tackle the difficulties we have and resolve the difference and disagreements between us". | Mr Wen, for his part, said economic co-operation would be enhanced "as a means to tackle the difficulties we have and resolve the difference and disagreements between us". |
Both sides ignored shouted questions from reporters about the South China Sea, AFP news agency said. | Both sides ignored shouted questions from reporters about the South China Sea, AFP news agency said. |
China claims a U-shaped swathe of the South China Sea, including areas also claimed by Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia and Brunei. | China claims a U-shaped swathe of the South China Sea, including areas also claimed by Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia and Brunei. |
Tensions have been high with Manila and Hanoi in recent months amid stand-offs and minor clashes around shoals and islands disputed with China. | Tensions have been high with Manila and Hanoi in recent months amid stand-offs and minor clashes around shoals and islands disputed with China. |
The last Asean (Association of South East Asian Nations) summit in July broke up acrimoniously, without a joint communique, with China facing accusations of using its clout to force host Cambodia to keep the territorial issue off the agenda. | The last Asean (Association of South East Asian Nations) summit in July broke up acrimoniously, without a joint communique, with China facing accusations of using its clout to force host Cambodia to keep the territorial issue off the agenda. |
The discord has continued at the latest summit. Cambodia said on Sunday that Asean nations had agreed not to "internationalise" the issue, something Beijing has been pushing for. | |
But on Monday, the Philippines - which has been boosting ties with the US - said no such accord had been reached and that it had "the inherent right to defend its national interests when deemed necessary". | But on Monday, the Philippines - which has been boosting ties with the US - said no such accord had been reached and that it had "the inherent right to defend its national interests when deemed necessary". |
Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda also raised security concerns in a meeting with Mr Obama. Japan is currently embroiled in a separate territorial dispute with Beijing over islands in the East China Sea. | Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda also raised security concerns in a meeting with Mr Obama. Japan is currently embroiled in a separate territorial dispute with Beijing over islands in the East China Sea. |
"With the increasing severity of the security environment in East Asia, the importance of the Japan-US alliance is increasing," Mr Noda said. | "With the increasing severity of the security environment in East Asia, the importance of the Japan-US alliance is increasing," Mr Noda said. |
Trade deals | Trade deals |
Discussions at the summit are also expected to focus on at least three free trade pacts in the region. | Discussions at the summit are also expected to focus on at least three free trade pacts in the region. |
China, Japan and South Korea are scheduled to launch trade talks on Tuesday afternoon to discuss the possibility of a free-trade zone, Japanese and South Korean officials say. | China, Japan and South Korea are scheduled to launch trade talks on Tuesday afternoon to discuss the possibility of a free-trade zone, Japanese and South Korean officials say. |
Asean countries and China, Japan, South Korea, India, Australia and New Zealand are involved in the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) dialogue that seeks to strengthen regional trade. | Asean countries and China, Japan, South Korea, India, Australia and New Zealand are involved in the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) dialogue that seeks to strengthen regional trade. |
The US is leading the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations which currently involve four countries from Asean - Singapore, Brunei, Malaysia and Vietnam. | The US is leading the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations which currently involve four countries from Asean - Singapore, Brunei, Malaysia and Vietnam. |
Mr Obama arrived in Cambodia from Burma, where he spent six hours meeting top leaders. | Mr Obama arrived in Cambodia from Burma, where he spent six hours meeting top leaders. |
The first visit to the country by a serving US president, it was seen as a response to reforms initiated by the government of President Thein Sein. | The first visit to the country by a serving US president, it was seen as a response to reforms initiated by the government of President Thein Sein. |