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Xinhua Asia-Pacific news summary at 1000 GMT, Feb. 6

Xinhua, February 6, 2015 Adjust font size:

South Korea's top policymaker on inter-Korean affairs said Friday that the country could lift sanctions against the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK)if inter-Korean talks are resumed.

"I think it could be an opportunity to lift the May 24 measures if south-north talks are held," Unification Minister Ryoo Kihl-jae told a lecture in Seoul.

"Economic cooperation between the two Koreas is not allowed due to the May 24 sanctions, and the government has already studied on (the lifting of) the sanctions," Ryoo said. (South Korea-DPRK- Sanctions)

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JAKARTA -- Prime Minister of Timor-Leste Xanana Gusmao has resigned from his post, and he is now waiting for the response from President Taur Matan Ruak after he submitted his resignation letter to him, a government spokesperson said on Friday.

"It's now for the president of the republic to consider and respond to the letter of resignation," the spokesperson said in a statement published in official website.

The prime minister had expressed his resignation plan two weeks ago in a meeting with most of officials in his government in capital Dili on Jan. 28, earlier reports said. (Timor-Leste-PM- Resignation)

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KUALA LUMPUR -- Malaysian and Indonesian leaders agreed on Friday to promote bilateral trade and investment growth.

At a joint press briefing with visiting Indonesian President Joko Widodo, Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak said, although the two-way trade target of 30 billion U.S. dollars set earlier might not be achieved, the country's second priority is certain, that is to continue to promote trade and investment growth.

"At present, our statistics show Malaysia's investments in Indonesia stood at 3.97 billion U.S. dollars between 2008 and September 2014 while that of Indonesia's in Malaysia were 1.89 billion U.S. dollars," he said. (Malaysia-Indonesia-Trade)

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BANGKOK -- Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said on Friday that Thailand appreciates and supports China's initiatives of building the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road and the Silk Road Economic Belt.

When meeting with visiting Chinese State Councilor and Defense Minister Chang Wanquan, Prayut said Thailand is willing to actively participate in relevant projects and benefit from them.

For years, the relationship between the Thai and Chinese militaries has been developing soundly, he said. (Thailand-China- Visit) Endi