Clinton sets framework for U.S.-Asia relations

By Latoyia Kimbrough

According to an article on the CNN website the now U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton traveled to four different countries in Asia to emphasize that the United States is actively engaged with the region. She traveled to Japan, China, South Korea and Indonesia to discuss a range of issues. The issues that Clinton sought to discuss were that of solving the global economic crisis, the prevention of nuclear weapons proliferation and reversing the global warming trend. Clinton introduced the issue of human rights with Chinese leaders on Saturday but she really sought out to stress that the global financial crisis and other international dilemmas were the more immediate priorities. She however did state that the United States will continue to address China on issues such as Tibet, Taiwan and human rights. China was the last stop on her tour of Asia and the most sensitive because human rights is an issue that is often the topic of discussion between the US and China. In this tour Clinton also discussed issues of the economy, the debt that China has with the US and North Korea’s nuclear weapons program. Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi and Clinton agree that dialogue between the two countries is essential in addressing these issues. Clinton stated to reports on Saturday that "it is essential that the United States and China have a positive, cooperative relationship". Clinton also met with other Chinese officials on the emission of greenhouse gases being that these two countries emit the most greenhouse gas. In this meeting they proposed to set up new strategies to deal with the issue of the environment.