US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has departed for her first trip abroad as President Barack Obama's top diplomat. Her Asian tour includes Japan, Indonesia, South Korea, and China.

Clinton's tour is seen as an effort to build a closer relationship with the four major Asian countries and deal with common challenges.

Addressing the Asia Society in New York on Friday, Clinton said she hopes to use the trip to signal that the US needs strong partners across the Pacific.

And she said she's ready to deliver a message about the Obama administration's desire for more rigorous and persistent commitment and engagement during her Asian tour.

Talks with regional leaders in Asia are expected to cover the global financial crisis, climate change, the DPRK nuclear issue and other issues of common concern.

(CCTV February 16, 2009)