Obama's Asian trip in a changing world
Thursday, 3 December 2009
Md Masum Billah
The US President, Barrack Obama recalled his personal experience and family roots in Asia and conveyed his intention to engage deeply with the region. Whether or not his skills in cultural diplomacy can rebuild the U.S. influence in a region that Bush Washington neglected, remains to be seen. The influence of China has now grown more than ever before. In Japan, his first stop, Obama called himself as Americas first Pacific president and warmed the audience by telling them of how as a boy he had gazed a the great bronze Buddha statue in Kmakura, south Tokyo and eaten green tea ice cream. His commitment to personally engage with the region created an unmistakable impression.
Eric Heginbotham, an Asia specialist at Ran Corporation said, Obama approach is likely to be particularly welcome in the region. Perceptions run strong in Southeast Asia that the region has been neglected by US. The neglect by Washington, experts feel, was less deliberate and more due to focus on pressing concerns on Iraq and other parts of the world.
The rapid rise of China has naturally drawn other Asian countries to it through increased trade. From Tokyo, Obama flew to Singapore to attend the annual Asia- Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting, a major forum to bring together the Pacific Rim economies. In Singapore, he became the first America president to join the annual meeting of leaders of 10-nation Asean.
News photos of President Barack Obama bowing before the emperor of Japan incensed critics, who said the US leader should stand tall when representing America overseas. It is not appropriate for an American president to bow before a foreign monarch, said conservative pundit William Kristol speaking on Fox News. The gesture spoke of a United States that has become weak and overly-deferential under Obama, said another conservative voice, Bill Bennett on CNN.
"It's ugly. I don't want to see it," another critic said. The third leg of his Asia visit took him to China where his sight-seeing trips left a deep imprint. In 10 years since they established diplomatic relations, the ties between US and China remain enigmatic. Their trade and economic ties witnessed a phenomenal progress. On global warming, they differ deeply. China is a huge and lucrative market for American goods and services. But American's staggering trade deficit with China remains a bone of contention. Obama's pragmatic approach drew criticism at home for being too soft on Beijing, particularly in the area of human rights and what the US regards as an undervalued Chinese currency that creates disadvantage for US products.
Obama does not ignores the reality of a rising China, already the world's third-largest economy, on way to becoming the second, has the potential to become the member one before long. China is also the number one lender to the US. Obama wants to encourage China to use its growing economic and political clout in solving some of the pressing global problems like a sagging economy, climate change and dangerous weapons proliferation. Both sides recognised their differences on the issue of human rights and agreed to resume a human rights dialogue in Washington by February. The two sides agreed that they would continue to act in the spirit of equality; mutual respect and non-interference in each other's internal affairs and religion to enhance understanding.
In South Korea, Obama's discussions were focused on North Korea's nuclear programme. He said he was willing to help North Korea repair its economy and end its international isolation only if Pyongyang moves towards nuclear disarmament. Obama and South Korean president Lee Myung-bak assured Pyongyang of massive rewards if it abandons its atomic ambitions. North Korea rattled Seoul, ahead of Obama visit, by demonstrating its naval power and with its announcement that it had produced a fresh batch of arms grade plutonium. But it toned down its usual anti-US rhetoric when Obama began his trip to Asia. Lee said, he hoped that by accepting the proposal to abandon its nuclear ambition North Korea would opt for improving the quality of life for its people and open the path to a new and secure future.
Obama and Lee agreed that North Korea should end its provocations for seeking concessions, which can not resolve the central problem. Their unmistakable message was if North Korea was prepared to take concrete and irreversible steps to eliminate its nuclear weapons programme, the United States will economic assistance and help promote its full integration into the community of nations.
Obama's Asian tour hints that the US, the lone super power, will continue with its presence in the Pacific. The week-long Obama visit marks a new turn in the relations between the US and the countries of the Pacific region, with China standing in the centre, with its much increased regional and global importance.
A senior manager, BRAC Education Programme, PACE, the writer can be reached at Email: mmbillah2000@yahoo.com
The US President, Barrack Obama recalled his personal experience and family roots in Asia and conveyed his intention to engage deeply with the region. Whether or not his skills in cultural diplomacy can rebuild the U.S. influence in a region that Bush Washington neglected, remains to be seen. The influence of China has now grown more than ever before. In Japan, his first stop, Obama called himself as Americas first Pacific president and warmed the audience by telling them of how as a boy he had gazed a the great bronze Buddha statue in Kmakura, south Tokyo and eaten green tea ice cream. His commitment to personally engage with the region created an unmistakable impression.
Eric Heginbotham, an Asia specialist at Ran Corporation said, Obama approach is likely to be particularly welcome in the region. Perceptions run strong in Southeast Asia that the region has been neglected by US. The neglect by Washington, experts feel, was less deliberate and more due to focus on pressing concerns on Iraq and other parts of the world.
The rapid rise of China has naturally drawn other Asian countries to it through increased trade. From Tokyo, Obama flew to Singapore to attend the annual Asia- Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting, a major forum to bring together the Pacific Rim economies. In Singapore, he became the first America president to join the annual meeting of leaders of 10-nation Asean.
News photos of President Barack Obama bowing before the emperor of Japan incensed critics, who said the US leader should stand tall when representing America overseas. It is not appropriate for an American president to bow before a foreign monarch, said conservative pundit William Kristol speaking on Fox News. The gesture spoke of a United States that has become weak and overly-deferential under Obama, said another conservative voice, Bill Bennett on CNN.
"It's ugly. I don't want to see it," another critic said. The third leg of his Asia visit took him to China where his sight-seeing trips left a deep imprint. In 10 years since they established diplomatic relations, the ties between US and China remain enigmatic. Their trade and economic ties witnessed a phenomenal progress. On global warming, they differ deeply. China is a huge and lucrative market for American goods and services. But American's staggering trade deficit with China remains a bone of contention. Obama's pragmatic approach drew criticism at home for being too soft on Beijing, particularly in the area of human rights and what the US regards as an undervalued Chinese currency that creates disadvantage for US products.
Obama does not ignores the reality of a rising China, already the world's third-largest economy, on way to becoming the second, has the potential to become the member one before long. China is also the number one lender to the US. Obama wants to encourage China to use its growing economic and political clout in solving some of the pressing global problems like a sagging economy, climate change and dangerous weapons proliferation. Both sides recognised their differences on the issue of human rights and agreed to resume a human rights dialogue in Washington by February. The two sides agreed that they would continue to act in the spirit of equality; mutual respect and non-interference in each other's internal affairs and religion to enhance understanding.
In South Korea, Obama's discussions were focused on North Korea's nuclear programme. He said he was willing to help North Korea repair its economy and end its international isolation only if Pyongyang moves towards nuclear disarmament. Obama and South Korean president Lee Myung-bak assured Pyongyang of massive rewards if it abandons its atomic ambitions. North Korea rattled Seoul, ahead of Obama visit, by demonstrating its naval power and with its announcement that it had produced a fresh batch of arms grade plutonium. But it toned down its usual anti-US rhetoric when Obama began his trip to Asia. Lee said, he hoped that by accepting the proposal to abandon its nuclear ambition North Korea would opt for improving the quality of life for its people and open the path to a new and secure future.
Obama and Lee agreed that North Korea should end its provocations for seeking concessions, which can not resolve the central problem. Their unmistakable message was if North Korea was prepared to take concrete and irreversible steps to eliminate its nuclear weapons programme, the United States will economic assistance and help promote its full integration into the community of nations.
Obama's Asian tour hints that the US, the lone super power, will continue with its presence in the Pacific. The week-long Obama visit marks a new turn in the relations between the US and the countries of the Pacific region, with China standing in the centre, with its much increased regional and global importance.
A senior manager, BRAC Education Programme, PACE, the writer can be reached at Email: mmbillah2000@yahoo.com