US President George W. Bush left Washington DC Saturday morning for a week-long three-nation trip to Asia that includes Japan, South Korea and China.
The visit was scheduled for last October, but was postponed because of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York and Pentagon in Washington on September 11.
In his first stop in Japan, Bush will focus on issues of Japanese economy, which is shrinking for a long period of time.
Seoul will be Bush's second stop, where he will express his support for the efforts made by the South Korean government to reach out to Pyongyang.
In Beijing, Bush will discuss with Chinese leaders issues of bilateral relations and other issues of mutual concern.
On the eve of his trip, Bush said in an interview with Xinhua News Agency that "China is a great nation and is an emerging power. And the United States must work to have good relations with China -- good, frank, honest relations."
(China Daily February 17, 2002)
