BALI, INDONESIA: Tightening ties with Asian nations as China's might rises,
president Barack Obama prepared on Thursday to be the first US president to take part in a summit of East Asian nations. Ahead of his diplomatic efforts here, the White House announced trade deals to show progress on the jobs front back home.Security issues and the US vision for an increasingly robust American role in Asia are expected to be central themes for Obama's participation in the East Asia Summit in Bali.But concerns over China may shadow the president's meetings on Friday and Saturday with leaders of smaller Asian nations increasingly alarmed over China's claims to maritime passage and rich oil reserves in the South China Sea.Obama's political priority remains creating jobs. Timed to his visit in
Indonesia , the White House announced the sale of Boeing 737s and General Electric engines to Indonesia, Boeing 777s to Singapore and Sikorsky helicopters to Brunei. Obama officials estimated the moves would support 127,000 American jobs.Obama's nine-day trip has focused on both expanding economic ties with the soaring Asia-Pacific market and boosting the US military posture in the region.The president will also get a chance to meet leaders such as Indian PM
Manmohan Singh, with whom he has an close relationship.Behind it all, China looms large. Obama will encounter more allies eager for US support as China and its neighbors argue over the
South China Sea, critical to US interests as well.
