Obama heads for Asia in November

WASHINGTON, Oct. 7 (UPI) -- U.S. President Obama will take part in his first Association of Southeast Asian Nations meeting during next month's Asian trip, the White House said.

Obama's trip, beginning Nov. 12 in Tokyo, is to "strengthen our cooperation with this vital part of the world on a range of issues of mutual interest" and meet with the Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama, White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said Wednesday.

From Tokyo, Obama will travel to Singapore for the annual Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Nov. 13-15, Gibbs said. While at APEC, Obama will have bilateral meetings with leaders from Singapore and other partners.

Obama also will have his first-ever meeting with 10 leaders of member nations making up the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

From Singapore, Obama will go to China, where he will visit Beijing and Shanghai Nov. 15-18, and will meet with Chinese President Hu Jintao to discuss ways to address "challenges and expand cooperation on key bilateral, regional and global issues, including security, non-proliferation, energy and climate change," Gibbs said.

Obama concludes his Asian mission in Seoul Nov. 18-19, Gibbs said, and will have his third bilateral meeting with President Lee Myung-bak.