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Xinhua Asia Pacific news summary at 0600GMT, Feb. 2

Xinhua, February 2, 2015 Adjust font size:

The Australian federal government has welcomed the release of Peter Greste on Monday after the journalist was finally allowed to return to Australia having spent 400 days in an Egyptian prison.

Greste was jailed in December 2013 alongside two fellow journalists, Canadian Mohamed Fahmy and Egyptian Baher Mohamed, and sentenced to seven years in prison on charges of defaming Egypt and aiding banned Islamists. (Australia-Hostage Release- Welcome)

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CANBERRA -- Australia will donate two military landing craft to the Philippines in an effort to help the country cope with increased relief efforts following Super Typhoon Haiyan.

The pair of former Royal Australian Navy vessels, which had both previously been decommissioned, will undergo a complete refurbishment before being sent to the Philippines in May this year. (Australia-Philippines-Donation)

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SYDNEY -- Sydney's newest architectural landmark, the Dr Chau Chak Wing Building at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), was officially opened on Monday thanks to the donations from the Australian-Chinese businessman and philanthropist.

Governor-General of Australia Sir Peter Cosgrove officially opened the new 20 million Australian dollars (15.5 million U.S. dollars) building, which was designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Frank Gehry, and will be the home to the UTS Business School. (Australia-Businessman-Donation)

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CANBERRA -- Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott has used a landmark address to the National Press Club (NPC)on Monday to warn his Coalition government against "infighting".

Speaking in front of the NPC for the first time since taking office in September 2013, Abbott was defiant in defending his government and issued a subtle message in an attempt to end speculation regarding his future. (Australian PM-Warning- Infighting)

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SEOUL -- A nuclear-powered U.S. submarine visited South Korea for a joint annual military drill, a South Korean military official said on Monday.

"The U.S. submarine came into a South Korean port for regular visit and annual joint military exercise. We cannot confirm details on the exercise for security reasons," the Defense Ministry official said by phone.(US Submarine-South Korea-Visit) Endi