America.gov-East Asia and the Pacific

State Department Officials Brief on Asian Security Issues

Janelle Simmons — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 13:39:23 -0500

Senior administration officials brief via teleconference on Asian security issues.

Pending Arms Sale Designed to Meet Taiwan’s Self-Defense Needs

Stephen Kaufman — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 09:47:37 -0500

The Obama administration announces its intention to sell a $6.4 billion arms and technical support package to Taiwan. Acknowledging Chinese opposition to the sale, U.S. officials say their foremost goal is to continue the decades of peace and stability that have benefited both China and Taiwan.

World Has Made Progress in Earthquake, Tsunami Warning

Cheryl Pellerin — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 09:42:39 -0500

Five years after the magnitude 9.0 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami killed 230,000 people and displaced millions, this region and others worldwide are better prepared than ever to monitor, detect and respond to natural disasters like earthquakes and tsunamis.

Social Networking Experiment Shows Effects of Mass Mobilization

Stephen Kaufman — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 16:48:28 -0500

How quickly can experts in the virtual world use their social-networking skills to mobilize thousands to solve problems in the real world? And what if they are also trying to overcome misinformation that is being fed to them? U.S. defense researchers conducted a contest to find out.

United States and Japan Celebrate 50th Anniversary of Pact

May G. Baptista — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 17:29:08 -0500

Fifty years ago, President Eisenhower referred to the U.S.-Japan relationship as “not just the cornerstone but an indestructible component of the American approach to the Asia Pacific region.” In marking the anniversary, Secretary of State Clinton calls the relationship “truly indispensible.”

President Obama on 50th Anniversary of U.S.-Japan Alliance

Amor Safi — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 19:10:23 -0500

The White House releases a statement by President Barack Obama on the 50th anniversary of the signing of the U.S.-Japan Treaty on Cooperation and Mutual Security.

Unrestricted, Secure Internet Access Critical, United States Says

Stephen Kaufman — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 11:27:29 -0500

In the 21st century, it is critical to have unrestricted and secure Internet access, both to allow the universal right of free expression and to encourage innovation and modern economies and societies, U.S. officials say.

Free Trade Focus Shifts to Asia and the Pacific

Christopher Connell — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 11:47:13 -0500

The seven Asia-Pacific countries with which the United States is discussing a trade pact are not the region’s biggest economic powers. But the Trans-Pacific Partnership could become the model for what President Obama calls “a 21st century trade agreement.”

United States Seeks Deeper Ties with Asia-Pacific

Merle David Kellerhals Jr. — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 11:46:30 -0500

The United States will continue to deepen its strong economic and strategic partnership with the Asia-Pacific region, while Asia has a strong interest in the United States remaining a dynamic partner and stabilizing influence, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton says.

Clinton Asks Japan to Respect 2006 Okinawa Base Agreement

Stephen Kaufman — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 09:12:57 -0500

Secretary Clinton says she appreciates the new Japanese government’s position toward the Futenma base on Okinawa, but says the Obama administration believes the 2006 realignment road map, which would move the U.S. base to a more remote part of the island, is still “the best way forward.”

Resumption of Six-Party Talks Must Precede Korean Peace Treaty

Stephen Kaufman — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 08:25:07 -0500

North Korea must return to the Six-Party Talks process and take “affirmative steps” toward dismantling its nuclear program before the United States is willing to discuss the removal of sanctions or a peace treaty to replace the 1953 armistice on the Korean Peninsula, the State Department says.

Clinton’s Asia-Pacific Trip Will Focus on Security Issues

Merle David Kellerhals Jr. — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 12:17:27 -0500

Secretary Clinton’s Asia-Pacific trip January 12–19 will include talks with Japan’s foreign minister on the future of a U.S. military base on Okinawa, security consultations in Australia and New Zealand, and meetings in Papua New Guinea on environmental protection and women’s empowerment.

Clinton to Visit Australia, New Zealand

Merle David Kellerhals Jr. — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 15:30:21 -0500

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton will give a major policy speech at the East-West Center in Honolulu January 12 on Asia-Pacific multilateral engagement with the United States, and during her trip to the Pacific she will meet with Australian and New Zealand officials.

Burma Has Not Taken Meaningful Steps Toward Credible Elections

Stephen Kaufman — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 12:37:32 -0500

Burmese military rulers have said they plan to hold the country’s first general elections since 1990 in 2010. However, the State Department says the military junta has not yet taken any “meaningful steps” to allow for more political freedom or steps that would lead to a credible vote.

Thailand Urged to Halt Expulsion of Laotian Hmong Population

Stephen Kaufman — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 10:50:53 -0500

The United States and the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) are urging Thailand to stop its forced repatriation of ethnic Hmong refugees to Laos, where they fear some will be persecuted. The State Department says the move is a “serious violation” of international humanitarian principles.

United States Criticizes Trial of Chinese Dissident Liu Xiaobo

Stephen Kaufman — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 16:31:52 -0500

The Chinese government’s case against Chinese dissident Liu Xiaobo is “a political trial that will likely lead to a political conviction,” the State Department says. Liu co-authored the Charter 08 petition, which calls for greater Chinese political freedom and human rights.

Bosworth Told North Koreans Benefits of Ending Nuclear Programs

Stephen Kaufman — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 17:32:27 -0500

Ambassador Stephen Bosworth, the U.S. special representative for North Korea policy, says his December 8-9 talks with North Korean officials were “quite positive” and included discussions on what improved bilateral relations with the United States and North Korea’s neighbors would offer.

Burmese Democracy Leader Meets with Party Elders

Helen I. Rouce — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 13:21:20 -0500

Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi is allowed to meet with three high-ranking elderly members of her political party outside her home, the latest concession toward her since she wrote Burma’s military ruler in September offering to help get international sanctions against the regime lifted.

Ambassador Reports “Very Useful” Meetings in North Korea

Stephen Kaufman — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 17:08:48 -0500

Ambassador Stephen Bosworth, the U.S. special representative for North Korea policy, says his meetings with North Korean officials were “very useful,” but he cannot say when Pyongyang will agree to resume multilateral talks designed to end nuclear activities on the Korean Peninsula.

Ambassador Bosworth Briefs on Recent Trip to North Korea

Amor Safi — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 18:01:16 -0500

Ambassador Stephen Bosworth, the U.S. special representative for North Korea policy, answers questions on his recent trip to Pyongyang.

U.S. Officials Gauging North Korean Willingness to Talk

Stephen Kaufman — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 08:24:17 -0500

For the first time in more than a year, U.S. officials are in Pyongyang for discussions with North Korean officials. Stephen Bosworth, who heads the U.S. delegation, is determining whether North Korea is willing to reaffirm that it will abandon nuclear weapons and return to multilateral talks.

Chinese Writers Encounter U.S. Literary Culture in Iowa

Howard Cincotta — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 09:55:09 -0500

A multicultural group of U.S. and Chinese writers renewed their artistic partnership in the Midwestern U.S. town of Iowa City in October, after first meeting in the western Chinese city of Dunhuang in May. One of the goals is to ensure that a minority literature thrives.