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Department of Defense
Secretary of Defense

Asia - South Pacific
Jan. 8 - 14, 2011
Estimated 16,509 Nautical Miles
South Korea
Japan
China

News Photos

South Korea

Gates Consults With South Korea on North’s Provocations

SEOUL, South Korea, Jan. 14, 2011 – Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates visited South Korean leaders to demonstrate U.S. solidarity against North Korean provocations. Story

Japan

U.S.-Japan Pact Has Demonstrated Worth, Gates Says

TOKYO, Jan. 13, 2011 – The U.S.-Japan defense pact has demonstrated its value over the past 50 years, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates told students at Keio University in Tokyo. Story

Gates Calls for Strengthening U.S.-Japan Defense Alliance

TOKYO, Jan. 13, 2011 – The U.S.-Japan alliance, negotiated and signed during the height of the Cold War, may be even more important today, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates told the students of Keio University in Tokyo. Story

Secretary Stresses Need to Prevent North Korean Provocations

TOKYO, Jan. 13, 2011 – Preventing another North Korea provocation of South Korea is in everyone’s interest, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said in Tokyo. Story

Gates Arrives in Japan for Military Talks

WASHINGTON, Jan. 12, 2011 – Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates arrived in Tokyo today, the second leg of a three-country tour that started with a four-day visit to China. Story | Japan Background

China

Gates Says China Relations Ready for Next Level

MUTIANYU, China, Jan. 12, 2011 – Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates ended his meetings in China today, saying the discussions he had with Chinese officials will take the military-to-military relationship between the two countries to the next level. Story

Gates: Chinese Taking Strategic Dialogue Proposal Seriously

BEIJING, Jan. 11, 2011 – The United States and China should engage in a strategic dialogue focusing on four areas: nuclear, missile defense, space and cyber, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said during his visit to Beijing. Story

Gates: North Korea Becoming Direct Threat to U.S.

BEIJING, Jan. 11, 2011 – If it continues on its current path, North Korea could be a “direct threat” to the United States in five years or less, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said after meeting with Chinese officials in Beijing. Story

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Pre Arrival

Secretary Pursues Strategic Dialogue with China

ABOARD A U.S. MILITARY AIRCRAFT, Jan. 8, 2011 – Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates is traveling to China, where he will seek to expand and deepen the military-to-military relationship between the U.S. and the Asian nation. Gates said he wants to continue a strategic dialogue between the nations that was interrupted last year after the Chinese objected to the United State selling defensive weapons to Taiwan. Story | Transcript

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Objective

Japan

Gates will visit Japan January 13-14, and will meet with Defense Minister Kitazawa and other senior leaders of the Japanese government, including Prime Minister Kan. "We will use the trip to discuss how best to address recent security developments in the region - including North Korean provocations - and to further develop our long-term agenda for strengthening and deepening the bilateral alliance," Morrell said. "The visit will underscore the centrality of the U.S.-Japan relationship for addressing regional and global challenges, now and in the years to come." Japan Background

South Korea

The secretary will also visit the Republic of Korea on Jan. 14, during the last leg of his trip to East Asia. He will meet with President Lee, Myung-bak and Defense Minister Kim, Kwan-jin. "The purpose of this trip is to consult on alliance defense issues, particularly dealing with the threat posed by North Korea," Morrell said. "The visit will demonstrate U.S. commitment to the defense of the Republic of Korea and our resolve to stand united in the face of North Korean provocation." Republic of Korea Background

Location

Video

VIDEO: Gates in Seoul

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Photo Essays

Gates Meets With Korean Officials in Seoul

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Speeches & Transcripts

Background Information

About the Secretary

In the course of his duties, Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates travels throughout the world visiting U.S. military forces in deployed locations and meeting with defense counterparts in allied and partner nations. Here's a look at Secretary Gates' latest travels.

Statistics from the Secretary's Travels
YearIntl.
Miles		Countries
Visited*		Travel
Days		Hours
Flown
20069,2001 (1)425
2007199,29933 (49)78428
2008116,21027 (34)54301
2009105,08218 (20)41245
2010165,89125 (30)67372
TOTALS595,682104 (134)2441373

* The number in parentheses reflects the total number of locations visited for the year. This number is higher as it reflects multiple visits to countries already previously visited.