Who will he appease or kowtow to?. As Barack Obama, the US president, begins his first trip to Asia, he will be doing so at a time when American influence on the world's most populous region is seen to be fading.
"The age of America as the world's superpower has come and will soon pass," says Li Chun Hwa, a Beijing cab driver, rather boldly.
In just seven days, the president will travel through Japan, Singapore, China and South Korea. But his agenda is far more reaching.
He plans to strike a new relationship with Myanmar, convince some Asian nations to commit more resources to Afghanistan, deal with climate change, and tackle trade disputes with China.
He will do this all while talking human rights and trying to get China's leaders to side with him on the nuclear issue involving North Korea and Iran, among other things.
"Co-operation" rather than "confrontation" is said to be theme of this Asia mission - a mission where bringing the world economy back to health is a top priority. The region, and more specifically China, has been credited for leading the global recovery in 2009.
In his visits to the cities of Shanghai and Beijing, Obama is expected to try and convince China's leaders to play a more constructive role when it comes to making the world a "better" place.
While some recent polls suggest that America's standing has fallen in Asia, Obama's personal popularity remains high.
White House officials believe that Obama's reputation is valuable currency in reestablishing US presence in the region.
Source: Al Jazeera
What is the purpose of this trip? He is not attending a formal summit conference.
Is this just another excuse to escape the Oval Office and get a chance at flying daily on Air Force One for eight days.
Will the family be going on another vacation with this trip? Party on, dudes!
Since taking office, he has made 7 foreign trips and visited 16 countries, 3 of them twice.
The Asia trip – which takes him to Japan, Singapore, China and South Korea – will bring his total to 8 foreign trips and 20 countries
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