Updated: 6:50am – US President Donald Trump has embarked on an 11-day trip to Asia during which he will visit Japan, South Korea, China, Vietnam and the Philippines.
It will be the longest tour of Asia by a US president in 25 years.
The trip comes at a time of heightened tensions with North Korea over its nuclear programme and missile tests.
Mr Trump is expected to show a united front with South Korea and Japan while pressing China to take a stronger line with Pyongyang.
President Trump flew first to the US state of Hawaii where he visited the USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor – the scene of the 1941 Japanese attack that drew the US into World War Two.
He also took part in a briefing at the US Pacific Command.
From Hawaii, he and First Lady Melania Trump will head to Japan and then on to South Korea.
President Trump’s itinerary
- Sunday 5 November: Arrives in Japan. Golf with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and professional player Hideki Matsuyama at Kasumigaseki Country Club. Bilateral meetings with Mr Abe.
- Tuesday 7 November: In South Korea for talks with President Moon Jae-in. Mr Trump will also address the National Assembly.
- Wednesday 8 November: Arrives in China for a series of events including meetings with President Xi Jinping.
- Friday 10 November: Travels to Danang, Vietnam, and will participate in the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (Apec) summit.
- Saturday 11 November: Travels to Hanoi, Vietnam, for talks with President Tran Dai Quang and other Vietnamese leaders.
- Sunday 12 November: Arrives in Manila, Philippines, to take part in a gala dinner for the 50th anniversary of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean).
- Monday 13 November: Will attend the Asean summit in Manila and hold talks with President Rodrigo Duterte.
– BBC/RNZ
Featured Image: US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump throw flowers during their visit to the USS Arizona Memorial in Hawaii. Photo: AFP
