RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. — President Barack Obama opened a meeting of leaders from a 10-nation bloc of Southeast Asian nations on Monday, calling the landmark gathering on U.S. soil a reflection of his personal commitment to an enduring partnership with the diverse group of countries.
Obama and leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations will spend the two days discussing economic and regional security issues.
In brief remarks as the leaders sat around a horseshoe-shaped table, Obama said he got to know Southeast Asia as a boy living in Indonesia with his mother.
Since becoming president, Obama has made numerous trips to Asia-Pacific countries as part of his policy “pivot” toward the region, with the goal of reassuring allies unnerved by China’s assertive presence in the region while also reaping economic gains for the U.S.
“You and the people of ASEAN have always shown me extraordinary hospitality, and I hope we can reciprocate with the warmth of today and tomorrow, which is why I did not hold this summit in Washington,” Obama said.
“It is cold there. It’s snowing, so welcome to beautiful, warm Sunnylands,” he said.
Sunnylands is the storied California desert estate where the leaders will conduct their talks at a conference center with picturesque views of the snow-capped San Jacinto Mountains.
It’s the first time the leaders of Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar and Cambodia have held a stand-alone meeting in the U.S.
China is not an ASEAN member, but its territorial claims over disputed waters have raised international concerns and heightened tensions with some member countries.
