He bristled at the suggestion he’d been slighted in Asia or that leaders in the region were rejecting his leadership a criticism leveled by Trump, who said he’d have picked up and left had he been treated the way Obama was in Asia. Obama said he planned to do everything possible to persuade lawmakers to approve it before year’s end.
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Obama said he believed his foreign policy legacy would be one of success, particularly his so-called “rebalance” to Asia.
Obama’s trip to Asia began and ended on awkward notes. Please see our terms of service for more information.
“I will continue the campaign against the criminals”.
“We will be wallowing in the mud like pigs if you do that to me”.
Nevertheless, there was barely concealed tension at the summit of East Asian and Southeast Asian nations in Laos. “It has been a memorable and at times moving visit”, the president said.
The government’s statement was read by Communications Secretary Martin Andanar before the members of the worldwide media present at the National Convention Center here, who are covering the three-day summit of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN).
In his prepared speech, Duterte was to call for maintaining freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea, where China has built at least seven artificial islands equipped with runways and radar to bolster its territorial claim in almost the entire water body. “We discussed the importance of claimants adhering to steps they’ve already agreed including respecting global law, not militarising disputed areas and not occupying uninhabited islands, reefs and shoals”, he told reporters later. Alam mo, marami diyan, sa mga kolumnista, they look upon Obama and the United States as if we are the lap dogs of their country. Over 2,400 have reportedly been killed in just over two months. Pakistan, India’s longtime adversary, opposes India’s membership in the group.
As an example of progress on the trip, Obama pointed to discussions with Southeast Asian leaders about maritime disputes in the South China Sea and suggested progress had been made in clarifying the path ahead to lower tensions between China and the Philippines. China’s embassy in Manila said there has been no dredging or building at the shoal and China has maintained a coastguard presence there for law enforcement patrols. It all springs from the fact the relationship between the Philippines and the United States is firm, very strong.
Duterte spoke after Obama had delivered a speech that referred to human rights.
Last June, Ban said he is “extremely disturbed” by remarks made by Duterte that journalists who take bribes deserve to die.
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The Philippines, Japan, the USA and Australia had criticized China during last year’s summit for its reclamation in the South China Sea. Obama’s push to ratify the Trans-Pacific Partnership and funding to combat the Zika virus are also expected to be on the agenda.
