U.S. is reaching out to East Asia's powerful nations

[Absar]

Obama seeks influence in region to offset China's growing power

Since the time Obama has sworn Oath for POTUS, he has pledged to make good relations with the countries in Asia.

The new focus underlies the president's view that having influence in the region, especially as China grows as an international economic and military force, is critical to U.S. interests. As Singapore's former prime minister Lee Kuan Yew said in Washington last week: "If you do not hold your ground in the Pacific, you cannot be a world leader."

Obama's emphasis on Asia has been in contrast to the Bush administration, which focused on the Iraq war and terrorism.

The administration also wants China's help persuading Iran to abandon its alleged nuclear weapons program, but China opposes sanctions on Tehran, which supplies 15 percent of its China's oil.

And one of the United States' oldest allies in the region is providing a new challenge.

Reference: washingtonpost.com