US Vice-President Mike Pence to visit Asia-Pacific in April

US Vice-President Mike Pence will visit Asia-Pacific from April 15-25. PHOTO: AFP

WASHINGTON - US Vice-President Mike Pence will be visiting Asia-Pacific later this month (April 2017), touching base with South Korea, Japan, Indonesia and Australia.

The trip will run from April 15-25, 2017, and will also include Hawaii.

During his trip, the Vice-President will emphasise US President Donald Trump's continued commitment to US alliances and partnerships in the Asia-Pacific region, highlight his administration's economic agenda, and underscore America's unwavering support for our troops at home and abroad, said a White House statement.

On April 16, Mr Pence will arrive in Seoul, South Korea, where he will spend Easter Sunday with US and Korean troops and their families. During the remainder of the visit, he will participate in a bilateral meeting with Acting President Hwang Kyo-ahn and meet National Assembly Speaker Chung Sye-kyun.

Vice President Pence will also participate in a listening session with local business leaders and give remarks to the business community.

On April 18, the Vice-President will travel to Tokyo, Japan, where he will meet with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and lead the inaugural US-Japan Economic Dialogue with Deputy Prime Minister Taro Aso. The Vice-President will participate in a listening session followed by remarks to the US and Japanese business community.

Continuing the administration's commitment to rebuilding the US military and to our alliances in the region, he will tour the USS Ronald Reagan and give remarks to US and Japanese service members, said the White House.

The Vice-President will then travel to Jakarta, Indonesia, on April 20 to meet with President Joko Widodo and Vice-President Jusuf Kalla. Noting the 40th Anniversary of US-Asean relations, Mr Pence will meet with the Asean Secretary General and Asean Permanent Representatives.

Among other events, the Vice-President will participate in a listening session with US and Indonesian business leaders and give remarks to the business community.

On April 22, Mr Pence will visit Sydney, Australia, where he will meet with Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull.

He will also meet with Foreign Minister Julie Bishop and opposition leader Bill Shorten along with US and Australian service members. Focusing again on American businesses, jobs, and the economy the US Vice-President will join a listening session and give remarks to the US and Australian business community.

Mr Pence will conclude his trip with a visit to Honolulu, Hawaii on April 24, where he will meet senior leadership from the Pacific Command and pay honour to those who fought and perished during the attack on Pearl Harbour by visiting the USS Arizona Memorial.

Finally, the Vice-President will meet with US troops and their families before returning to Washington.

During his trip, Mr Pence will travel with the Second Lady of the United States, Karen Pence, and his two daughters.

Mrs Pence will release a more detailed schedule of her meetings and cultural visits in the coming days, the White House said.

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