U.S. Secretary of Defense William Cohen visited seven nations in January 1998 to enhance security ties in the Asia-Pacific region. Here Minister of Defense Gen. Chi Haotian of China toasts the secretary, after signing a Military Maritime Consultative Agreement. Second row (L to R): Adm. Joseph Prueher, U.S. Commander in Chief, Pacific; Walter Slocombe, U.S. Under Secretary of Defense for Policy; U.S. Ambassador James Sasser; and Lt. Gen. Xiong Guangkai, Deputy Chief of General Staff, People's Liberation Army; and other VIPs in the third row.

Then Minister of Defense Edi Sudrajat escorts Secretary Cohen during an inspection of troops at the Ministry of Defense, Jakarta.

Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai of Thailand speaks at a dinner for Secretary Cohen in Bangkok. Deputy Minister of Defense Gen. Watanachai Wootsiri sits nearby.

Secretary Cohen is welcomed by Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto of Japan at his residence in Tokyo.

Prime Minister Dato' Seri Dr. Mahathir bin Mohamad greets U.S. Secretary of Defense William Cohen in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, the secretary's first stop.

Secretary Cohen meets with Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong of Singapore.

President Jiang Zemin of China greets Secretary Cohen in Beijing.

Secretary Cohen meets with then President-elect Kim Dae Jung of Korea in Seoul, his final stop.