Next week will be hectic with US President Barack Obama visiting Manila. Top concern for me are the traffic and tight security–the bane of my life as a harried reporter.
As for the expected outcomes of his visit, as far as I know, it would be mostly about geopolitics and economy would not be as important as the former. I was invited for a teleconference by the US Chamber of Commerce but due to logistical reasons, I wasn’t able to participate. Supposedly, the main topics of discussion are the themes for Obama’s visit to Asia, which are:
- swift conclusion of a high-standard Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement;
- implementation of KORU;
- and bilateral trade and economic relations.
Now, I wonder where I will be deployed…
King Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah, second left, addresses President Barack Obama at a state dinner on Sunday. Photograph: Mohd Rasfan/AFP/Getty Images
He is now in Malaysia, to strengthen the geopolitical clout of the Americans on that side of the world.
Barack Obama visits Malaysia with economy and security on agenda – The GuardianOpening the first visit to Malaysia by a US president in nearly half a century, Barack Obama looked ahead Saturday to economic and security talks with the prime minister, Najib Razak, who leads a south-east Asian nation with an important role in Obama’s efforts to forge deeper ties with the region.
Stepping on to a red carpet at the Royal Malaysian Air Base, Obama was whisked by limousine to Kuala Lumpur’s Parliament Square, where a 21-gun salute rang out as Malaysia’s king and prime minister greeted Obama under muggy skies and a yellow awning. A military band played the US and Malaysian national anthems twice and Obama inspected an elaborate honour guard in crisp green and white before the arrival ceremony came to a close.
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