Kerry to travel to Middle East, Vietnam and Philippines

US Secretary of State John Kerry would make another trip to the Middle East as part of his relentless effort to resolve the Israel-Palestine dispute and then head on to Vietnam and Philippines reflecting the American rebalance towards the Asia Pacific region.
Kerry's week-long trip begins on December 11, his spokesperson Jen Psaki announced yesterday.
In Israel, Kerry will meet Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and discuss a range of issues including Iran and the ongoing final status negotiations with the Palestinians.
In Ramallah, he would meet Palestinian Authority President Mohamoud Abbas and discuss the ongoing final status negotiations, among other issues, she said.

"This trip to Asia will be his fourth to the region since becoming Secretary of State... Within the Asia-Pacific rebalance, Southeast Asia holds special importance, and the Secretary's travel to Vietnam and the Philippines demonstrates the enduring US commitment and his personal connections to the region," Psaki said.
Kerry's visit to Vietnam will highlight the dramatic transformation in the bilateral relationship over the years and their growing partnership in many areas, she said.

In Ho Chi Minh City, Kerry's meetings will underscore the growth of US-Vietnam bilateral trade relationship and the empowering role of education.
"His visit to the Mekong Delta will emphasise how Americans and Vietnamese can work together on critical issues such as climate change and renewable energy," Psaki said.

In Hanoi, Kerry will meet with senior Vietnamese leaders to advance the Comprehensive Partnership announced by the US President Barack Obama and his Vietnamese counterpart Truong Tan Sang in July and to discuss a wide range of bilateral and regional issues.
Kerry will then travel to the Philippines.
In Manila, he will meet with senior Philippine officials to discuss ways to build on their already-strong economic, security, and people-to-people relations.
Then, he will visit the storm-hit city of Tacloban to witness first-hand the recovery efforts that are taking place there and discuss how the United States can continue to contribute to the relief and reconstruction work, Psaki said.

Meanwhile, Kerry urged China to release Nobel laureate and writer Liu Xiaobo and end his house arrest.
"We strongly urge Chinese authorities to release Liu Xiaobo, to end Liu Xia's house arrest, and to guarantee to Liu Xiaobo and his family members all internationally recognized human rights protections and freedoms," he said in a statement on the occasion of fifth anniversary of his detention.
"We continue to believe that respect for international human rights is critical to China's growth, prosperity, and long-term stability," he added.