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                          Obama: US Committed to Asia

   by VOA News

   President Barack Obama has addressed the Asia-Pacific Economic
   Cooperation CEO summit, telling business leaders that the United States
   is entirely committed to Asia.

   Obama announced a new visa policy with China Monday that will increase
   the validity of short-term tourist and business visas issued to one
   another's citizens from one to ten years - the longest validity allowed
   under U.S. law - and extend the validity of student and exchange visas
   from one to five years. The new agreement will go into effect November
   12.

   The American president also promoted Washington's plans for a 12-nation
   Trans-Pacific Partnership. The plan is controversial because it
   excludes China and competes with Beijing's plans for an Asian free
   trade zone.

   President Obama arrived in the Chinese capital Monday morning.  He is
   expected to have dinner with Chinese President Xi Jinping and other
   Asia-Pacific leaders and then attend a fireworks show.

   Obama is attending the APEC summit from November 10 to 12. U.S.
   officials see the meeting as a way to set rules that will prevent
   conflicts in the region, while making progress on trade, cyberspace and
   climate issues.

   The United States is concerned about the continuing trade deficit,
   cyber issues and Chinese maritime claims in the East and South China
   seas. President Obama wants to dispel the impression among Chinese
   leaders that the U.S., through the rebalance of its forces to the
   Pacific, is trying to contain China.

   Obama told the business leaders at the CEO summit that the United
   States in fact has worked hard to see that China succeeds.

   Pushing an agenda of greater cooperation will not be easy for Obama,
   who comes to Beijing politically weakened by mid-term elections at
   home.

   Obama will depart Beijing on Wednesday for his second visit to Myanmar,
   also known as Burma. There, he will attend two East Asian summits
   before going to Australia for a gathering of the G20.
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   [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/obama-apec-us-committed-to-asia/25143
   35.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/obama-apec-us-committed-to-asia/2514335.html