Biden To Emphasize Policy Pivot Towards Asia in Visit to South Korea, China, Japan

Trip will take place in first week of December

(Reuters) - U.S. Vice President Joe Biden will travel to China, Japan and South Korea in the first week of December, a trip designed to emphasize the U.S. commitment to a policy pivot toward Asia.

With events in the Middle East and domestic policy battles dominating President Barack Obama's attention in recent months, questions have emerged about the extent of Obama's commitment to this shift, particularly after the president canceled participation in two Asia-specific summits last month.

Obama had to stay in Washington instead of visiting four Asian nations last month to deal with a fiscal stalemate that led to a U.S. government shutdown.