Economy and Climate Become Focus of Clinton's Visit

By Imola Unger

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton embarked on a diplomatic trip to Asia Sunday, with the global economy crisis and the issue of climate change ranking high on the agenda. Clinton is scheduled to visit several countries in the region, including long-time strategic allies Japan and China, both decisive voices in the most pressing global crises. The destination is unusual for a first foreign visit in office, and is meant to emphasize the Obama administration's eagerness to strengthen and revive ties with the fast-emerging oriental economies.

Expectations as to the issues she will be addressing during meetings with Asian leaders primarily revolve around the economic crisis and climate policy, but nuclear proliferation and human rights are also very likely to come up. In her first major address as Secretary of State, Clinton announced Saturday that codependence is the feature that characterizes US-Asian relations best. Focusing primarily on China and Japan, she stressed the importance of joining forces and resources to resolve global issues on the political, economic, and environmental planes. It has been suggested that the U.S. and China could be "candle holders" in the realm of climate issues; one possible way is to establish a so-called "green relationship" which would pave the way for the rest of the world on handling the environmental crisis.

"Our mutual economic engagement with China was evident during the economic growth of the past two decades, it is even clearer now at economic hard times and in the array of global challenges we face from nuclear security to climate change to pandemic disease and so much else," the politician was quoted as saying. She appeared determined to exert some pressure regarding these issues as she went on talking about how she will emphasize Sino-US cooperation in Beijing. She is wary of attempting to use the occasion for enforcing any practical and drastic measures such as carbon emission caps or reviewed trade regulations, however.

China is not viewed as a threat to US economy, Clinton said, but is rather seen as a highly competent long-term partner. Utterances in a similar vein have signaled open breaking from the previous administration’s approach.