Obama to Welcome Southeast Asian leaders to US For Talks

RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. (AP) – President Barack Obama and the leaders of Southeast Asian nations are meeting in Southern California for an unprecedented two days of talks on economic and security issues and on forging deeper ties amid China’s assertive presence in the region.

It’s the first U.S. gathering for the 10 members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

Obama plans Monday to personally welcome each leader before the group gets down to business in Rancho Mirage.

The meetings are taking place at the storied Sunnylands estate where Obama held his first meeting with China’s current president.

China is not a member of the association. But its territorial claims over disputed waters have raised international concerns, caused friction with some member countries and will top the summit agenda.

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