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Xinhua Asia Pacific news summary at 1600GMT, Feb. 16

Xinhua, February 17, 2015 Adjust font size:

A 28-member business delegation from China will be visiting Sri Lanka next month, the island nation's main trade body said Monday.

The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce said the visit is organized by institutions from Tianjin city, one of China's trade hubs, including the city's commission of commerce and foreign affairs office. (China-Sri Lanka-Visit)

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COLOMBO -- Sri Lanka's main minority Tamil political party on Monday said they will consider joining a national unity government in Sri Lanka only if Tamil issues are addressed.

The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) has been consistently calling for a political solution following the end of a 30-year war between Tamil Tiger rebels and the Sri Lankan military in May 2009. (Sri Lanka-Tamil)

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SINGAPORE -- A U.S. Congressional delegation led by Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Ways and Means Paul Ryan is visiting Singapore. The delegation met K. Shanmugam, Singapore' s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Law on Monday morning.

Shanmugam and the Congressional delegation affirmed the excellent bilateral relations between Singapore and the U.S, according to news release by Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA). (US-Singapore-Visit)

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COLOMBO -- Sri Lanka and India have signed an agreement granting diplomats and government officials from both sides of visa-free access and stay for up to 30 days, the Sri Lankan foreign ministry said here on Monday.

Foreign ministry spokesperson Sathya Rodrigo told Xinhua that previously, diplomats from India and Sri Lanka had to apply for a visa when traveling between both countries. (Sri Lanka-India-Deal)

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ISLAMABAD -- Pakistan on Monday repatriated 173 Indian prisoners and urged India to release all of its nationals in Indian jails.

The Foreign Ministry said 173 Indian prisoners, including 172 fishermen, were handed over to India through Wagha border a day after they were released from a prison in Karachi. (Pakistan- India-Demand) Endi