WASHINGTON, Oct. 16 - The White House on Monday provided updated details of U.S. President Donald Trump's travel to Asia next month, highlighting U.S. engagement in security and trade in the region.
According to the press release issued by the White House press service, Trump's Nov. 3-14 tour will take him to Hawaii, Japan, South Korea, China, Vietnam, and the Philippines.
TRUMP'S ITINERARY
Trump's visit "will underscore his commitment to longstanding United States alliances and partnerships, and reaffirm United States leadership in promoting a free and open Indo-Pacific region," said the White House.
In Hawaii, Trump will receive a briefing from the U.S. Pacific Command, and visit Pearl Harbor and the USS ARIZONA Memorial.
Trump will arrive in Japan on Nov. 5, where he will meet with U.S. and Japanese service members, and meet with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. The latter will also host a meeting for Trump with the families of Japanese citizens allegedly abducted by Pyongyang.
During his visit to South Korea that embarks on Nov. 7, Trump will meet with President Moon Jae-in as well as U.S. and South Korean service members. He is also scheduled to speak at the South Korea's National Assembly to "celebrate the enduring alliance" between the two countries, and "call on the international community to join together in maximizing pressure" on Pyongyang.
After his visit to China beginning on Nov. 8, Trump will travel to Danang, Vietnam, on Nov. 10 to participate in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) economic leaders meeting and deliver a speech at the APEC CEO summit.
The White House said Trump will "present the United States' vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific region and underscore the important role the region plays in advancing America's economic prosperity."
On Nov. 11, Trump will travel to Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, for an official visit to the country. He will meet with President Tran Dai Quang and other senior Vietnamese leaders.
In his final stop of Manila, Trump will participate in the special gala celebration dinner for the 50th Anniversary of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
On Nov. 13, he will join in the celebration of the 40th anniversary of U.S.-ASEAN relations at the U.S.-ASEAN summit, and participate in bilateral meetings with Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte and other ASEAN leaders.
TRUMP'S CHINA STOP
On Nov. 8, Trump will arrive in Beijing for a visit to China. He is expected to attend a series of bilateral, commercial, and cultural events, including meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping, according to the White House press release.
During his meeting with visiting U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on Sept. 30 , Xi said, "Currently the most important event in our bilateral relations is President Trump's China visit in November," adding that, "His visit will be a major opportunity for the development of China-U.S. relations."
Xi said China-U.S ties have been generally stable, and that he has maintained sound communication with President Trump.
"China attaches great importance to President Trump's visit, and I look forward to working with him to outline and advance our bilateral relations in the years to come," Xi told Tillerson.
Xi said the teams on both sides should work closely to make the visit "successful and special."
The two presidents of the world's largest economies met in early April at Trump's Mar-a-Lago residence in the U.S. State of Florida, where they exchanged views on issues of bilateral and global concern.
After the meeting, the two leaders also spoke several times by telephone on hot-spot issues including the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula.