WASHINGTON, D.C. (BNO NEWS) — U.S. Vice President Joe Biden on Tuesday departed for Beijing to start a nine-day trip to China, Mongolia, and Japan, the White House said.

In each country, Biden will meet with key leaders to discuss the full range of bilateral, regional and international issues as part of the Obama administration’s efforts to renew and intensify the country’s role in Asia.

Biden’s trip to China originated when Chinese President Hu Jintao formally invited him to China during his state visit to Washington, D.C. earlier this year.

While in Beijing, the Vice President will meet with Vice President Xi Jinping and other Chinese leaders, including President Hu and Premier Wen Jiabao, to discuss a range of security and economic issues.

The trip to China provides an opportunity for Biden to strengthen U.S. economic ties with China. Both countries have a tremendous mutual interest in a global economic recovery and in that matter, China has a very important role to play since it has to reorient its economy from an export-led growth to a domestic demand-led growth strategy, the White House said.

This is Biden’s first trip to East Asia as Vice President. But he traveled to the region many times as a senator, including his trip to China in 1979 as part of the first U.S. Senate delegation to the eastern country after it normalized its relations with the United States.

After visiting China, Biden will also travel to Mongolia and Japan. In Mongolia, he will underscore U.S. support for Mongolia’s two decades of democratic development and their growing economic ties. The last time a U.S. Vice President visited Mongolia was in 1944 when Henry Wallace toured Asia and included a stop in Mongolia.

While in Japan, Biden will express U.S. support in the wake of the recent nuclear emergency that began in March after a 9.0-magnitude earthquake and a subsequent tsunami devastated the country, killing at least 15,698 people and leaving more than 4,600 people missing and feared dead.

The Vice President will also thank U.S. civilian and military personnel for their assistance in responding to the disasters, as well as to highlight Japan’s resilience during the recovery and rebuilding process.

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