Hillary Clinton at APEC in Hawaii before Asia trip

Hillary Clinton at APEC in Hawaii before Asia trip

HONOLULU (AP) — Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton is in Hawaii where she is attending the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit.

Clinton is scheduled to speak at the East-West Center today before holding bilateral meetings with a number of foreign ministers. President Barack Obama is also attending APEC.

After APEC, Clinton is scheduled to visit U.S. treaty allies Thailand and the Philippines before attending the annual East Asia summit in Indonesia.

The State Department says the visits underscore U.S. efforts to strengthen key alliances in the region.

In Manila, Clinton on Tuesday will mark the 60th anniversary of the U.S.-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty. The next day she goes to Bangkok, where Thai authorities are battling severe floods.

Clinton is scheduled to return to Washington on Nov. 19.