Barack Obama has made history in becoming the first sitting US president to visit Burma.

In a landmark trip aimed at encouraging a string of political reforms in the former pariah state, the US president flew into Rangoon on Monday morning.

It is the second stop of his three-country tour of Asia.

Mr Obama said his historic visit marked the next step in a new chapter between America and Burma, also known as Myanmar.

He said he was “extending the hand of friendship” to the country, where he met both reformist President Thein Sein and opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

Tens of thousands of people, many of them waving US flags, packed the streets of Rangoon to see Mr Obama’s motorcade speed through the city.

He shared words and an affectionate hug with Ms Suu Kyi, the democracy activist who endured years of house arrest to gain freedom and become a lawmaker.

Speaking after a private meeting with the opposition leader, Mr Obama said he had seen encouraging signs of progress in the country in the past year – including her release from house arrest and election to parliament.

He said ties between the US and Burma will grow stronger if moves toward democracy continue.

“Our goal is to sustain the momentum,” he declared.

He told Ms Suu Kyi that if the nation’s leaders keep making true reforms, “we will do everything we can to ensure success”.

With Mr Obama at her side, Ms Suu Kyi said: “We are confident that this support will continue through the difficult years that lie ahead.”

After his meeting with Mr Sein, who has orchestrated much of his country’s transition to democracy, Mr Obama said the reforms “in Myanmar” could unleash “the incredible potential of this beautiful country”.

He also made a speech at the University of Rangoon, acknowledging the country’s shortcomings but saying: “The United States of America is with you.”

The US would be friends with any nation that respects its people’s rights and international law, he said.

The president used the speech to urge an end to sectarian unrest in the western state of Rakhine, saying there was “no excuse for violence against innocent people”.

But with human rights groups claiming his visit was too soon in the reform process – risking rewarding a half-baked democracy – Mr Obama made clear that he was not endorsing the Burmese government.

The president’s first stop on his Asia tour was Thailand, where he stressed the “critical” importance of the Asia-Pacific region to the future of the US over the coming century, during his first foreign trip since his re-election.

Speaking at a news conference with Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, Mr Obama said: “Asia is my first foreign trip since our election in the United States, and Thailand is my first stop.

“This is no accident. As I’ve said many times, the United States is and always will be a Pacific nation.

“As the fastest growing region in the world, the Asia-Pacific will shape so much of our security and prosperity in the century ahead, and it is critical to creating jobs and opportunity for the American people.

“That’s why I’ve made restoring American engagement in this region a top priority as president.”

Mr Obama also met the Thai King, Bhumibol Adulyadej, who is in hospital where he has been recovering from an illness since September 2009.

Mr Obama calls himself the “Pacific President” and has pledged to focus significant attention on the Asia-Pacific region.

It is therefore no surprise that his first foreign trip is here.

The US is seeking to counter China’s increasing clout in the region. The US government has said that 60% of the US naval forces will be based in the region by 2020.

As if to underline America’s commitment to the region, the US defence secretary is currently on his fourth trip to Asia this year.

Thailand is the US’ longest standing ally in the region. The US sees it as vital in helping it pivot attention towards Asia and boost ties with the fastest growing region on the planet.

During the news conference, Mr Obama defended his decision to go to Burma.

“This is not an endorsement of the Burmese government,” he said.

“This is an acknowledgement that there is a process under way inside that country that even a year and a half, two years ago, nobody foresaw.”

The president’s visit follows a trip by US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to the country in December 2011 and a visit by British Prime Minister David Cameron in April 2011.

The US president’s Asian tour will end in Cambodia, where he will attend a meeting of the Association of South East Asian Nations (Asean).

The leaders of 16 southeast Asian countries will attend, as well as Russian President Vladimir Putin, outgoing Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda, Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

In Burma, despite the recent reforms, sectarian clashes between Muslims and Buddhists have killed more than 180 people and destroyed the homes of more than 100,000.

The government has been criticised for not having done enough to stop the violence in the coastal Rakhine State.

On Friday, Washington announced it had lifted a ban on the import of goods from the country.

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