World

Trump embarks on marathon Asia tour

22:04 pm on 4 November 2017

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.

US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump throw flowers during their visit to the USS Arizona Memorial in Hawaii. Photo: AFP

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