Obama cancels stops in Philippines, Malaysia in upcoming Asia visit due to gov't shutdown

 • Obama has canceled planned stops in the Philippines and Malaysia in his upcoming trip to Asia.

 • Obama reaffirmed the U.S. "strong alliance" with the Philippines in his phone call to Auqino.

 • Obama welcomed Malaysia's strong leadership of the Global Entrepreneurship Summit.

Backgrounder: U.S. government shutdown

WASHINGTON, Oct. 2 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Barack Obama has canceled planned stops in the Philippines and Malaysia in his upcoming trip to Asia, due to the government shutdown at home, the White House said Wednesday.

Obama spoke by phone Tuesday night with Philippine President Benigno S. Aquino III and Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak respectively about the cancellation of his planned visits to the two Southeast Asian countries during his planned trip to Asia, citing the ongoing government shutdown, the White House said in a statement.

In his call to Aquino, Obama reaffirmed the U.S. "strong alliance" with the Philippines and respect for Aquino's leadership, while pledging to visit the Philippines later in his term.

"He also noted our shared commitment to the security of the Philippines, and the broader security and prosperity of the Asia-Pacific region, and told the president that Secretary (of State John) Kerry would travel to Manila in his place," the statement said.

Speaking with Najibk, Obama reaffirmed the U.S. "close partnership" with Malaysia and respect for Najib's leadership, and promised to visit Malaysia later in his term.

Obama welcomed Malaysia's strong leadership of the Global Entrepreneurship Summit, adding that Kerry would lead a U.S. delegation to Kuala Lumpur, which includes Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker and U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman, the statement added.

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