Bush flies to Shanghai

Shanghai has been spruced up for the summit

US President George W Bush on Wednesday left the United States for the first time since the 11 September attacks, bound for China and the annual Asia Pacific Economic Co-operation group summit.

Usually trade is the main topic of discussion but top of the agenda this year will be the month-old war on terrorism and the US-led bombing of Afghanistan.

Obviously, I leave at a very difficult time

President Bush

Leaders from 21 member countries, including some of the most important members of the fragile global coalition against terrorism, are gathering amid tight security in the southern city of Shanghai.

President Bush and his Secretary of State Colin Powell, who has already arrived, say they are confident of getting backing from Apec.

Before setting of on the five-day trip President Bush acknowledged it was a difficult time for him to be leaving.

But, he said: "It's also important for my nation to see that I leave because ... international affairs are a still very important part of making the world more safe."

Criticism

The US has been criticised by several Apec members over its actions in Afghanistan.

Leaders from 21 nations will be attending

Malaysia has described the attacks as a mistake, while there is growing concern among senior figures in Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim nation, about continuing the support declared by President Megawati Sukarnoputri last month.

Correspondents say a declaration against terrorism being prepared for the Apec leaders to consider will make no mention of the air strikes or of Osama Bin Laden, who the US suspects of masterminding the World Trade Center attacks.

Instead the document will condemn the attacks and call for action to wipe out terrorist groups.

China on Wednesday welcomed US newspaper reports that President Bush was considering waiving some trade sanctions as part of its anti-terror game plan.

But Bush spokesman Ari Fleischer later denied that report.

President Bush is due to have face-to-face talks with Chinese President Jiang Zemin.

Economic fears

Apec members

Australia

Brunei

Canada

Chile

China

Hong Kong

Indonesia

Japan

Malaysia

Mexico

New Zealand

Papua New Guinea

Peru

Philippines

Russia

Singapore

South Korea

Taiwan

Thailand

United States

Vietnam

Many other Apec leaders are also worried about the economic slowdown and fighting recession.

Singapore announced on Wednesday its sharpest fall in exports ever and recent forecasts suggest that Asian countries' economies will only expand by 1% this year, the slowest growth rate since the Asian financial crisis of 1997-98.

Apec's members have promised to open trade barriers within the region over the next decade but President Bush is likely to push for even more free trade and more investment.