RANCHO MIRAGE, CALFIFORNIA – US President Barack Obama opened a meeting of leaders from a 10-nation bloc of Southeast Asian nations on Monday, calling the landmark gathering on US soil a reflection of his personal commitment to an enduring partnership with the diverse group of countries.
Mr Obama and leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations will spend two days discussing economic and regional security issues.
Human rights advocates have faulted the US for inviting unelected leaders, like Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, who seized power in a May 2014 coup. Cambodia's Hun Sen, who has used violence and intimidation against political opponents, made his first official US visit during his 31-year tenure as prime minister.
In brief remarks as the leaders sat around a horseshoe-shaped table, Mr Obama said he became familiar with Southeast Asia as a boy living in Indonesia with his mother. Since becoming president, Mr Obama has made numerous trips to Asia-Pacific countries as part of his policy "pivot" toward the region, with the goal of reassuring allies unnerved by China's assertive presence there while also reaping economic gains for the US.
A Facebook group calling itself Red USA protests the presence of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha at the US-Asean summit in California. (Red USA Facebook page)
"You and the people of Asean have always shown me extraordinary hospitality and I hope we can reciprocate with the warmth today and tomorrow, which is why I did not hold this summit in Washington," Mr Obama said.
"It is cold there. It's snowing, so welcome to beautiful, warm Sunnylands," he said. Sunnylands is the storied California desert estate where the leaders will conduct their talks at a conference centre with picturesque views of the snow-capped San Jacinto Mountains.
Underscoring the relaxed atmosphere, all leaders wore open-collar shirts with their suits.
It's the first time the leaders of Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar and Cambodia have held a standalone meeting in the US. China is not an Asean member, but its territorial claims over disputed waters have raised international concerns and heightened tensions with some member countries.
Mr Obama said trade between the US and Asean had increased 55% since he took office. The region is now the US's fourth-largest goods trade partner. US companies are also the largest source of foreign investment in its member nations, he said.
Mr Obama said he wants to build on that progress "so that growth and development is sustainable and inclusive and benefits all people."
Monday's talks will focus on the economy. After a working dinner, the conversation on Tuesday, the summit's final day, shifts to regional security issues, including the South China Sea and counterterrorism.
China says it has a historical right to virtually all of the South China Sea and has built seven artificial islands, including with airstrips, to assert its sovereignty. Taiwan and Asean members Brunei, Malaysia, Vietnam and the Philippines also claim land features in these potentially resource-rich waters, which are an important conduit for world trade.
President Barack Obama greets Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha as the Rancho Mirage summit begins Tuesday morning Thailand time. (Government House photo)
Though not a claimant, the US has spoken out against China's conduct and has angered Beijing by sailing Navy ships near some of the artificial islands. The US has argued for the maritime rights issue to be resolved peacefully and is looking for Asean to take a unified stance by calling for the disputes to be resolved based on international law. Asean has avoided criticizing China by name in joint statements issued at past summits.
The Trans-Pacific Partnership free-trade agreement among the US, Asean members Brunei, Malaysia, Singapore and Vietnam, and seven other nations, will likely be discussed. The pact is Mr Obama's signature trade achievement, one he has sought to sell to sceptical lawmakers as a chance for the US to shape the region's trade rules, not China. Congress, however, must ratify the deal and that outcome remains in doubt.
Terrorism inspired by the Islamic State group is of increasing concern in the region. Eight people were killed during assaults last month in Indonesia's capital, Jakarta, the first major attack there in six years. Police said the attackers were linked to IS group.
Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim nation, have all reported citizens traveling to fight in Iraq and Syria, and several small militant groups in the Philippines have pledged allegiance to IS.
Mr Obama also plans to raise issues of good governance and adherence to the rule of law.