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Xinhua Asia-Pacific news summary at 1630 GMT, March 1

Xinhua, March 2, 2015 Adjust font size:

South Korean President Park Geun-hye urged Japan Sunday to face up to history with courage and sincerity to write a new history as South Korea's future partner for another 50 years.

Park made the remarks during a ceremony marking South Korea's 1919 nationwide uprising against Japan's 1910-45 colonial rule. Fifty years have passed since Seoul and Tokyo forged diplomatic ties in 1965. (South Korea-Japan-Sex Slaves) - - - - CANBERRA -- Australian Deputy Prime Minister Warren Truss announced Sunday that Australia will conduct a trial with Malaysia and Indonesia to more closely track aircraft through skies over oceanic areas.

Truss whose portfolio includes infrastructure and transport made the announcement in the Parliament House with Sir Angus Houston, Chair of Australia's Air Traffic Control Manager, Airservices Australia. The announcement came just one week before the anniversary of the disappearance of Malaysian Airline MH370 on March 8, 2014 with 239 passengers and crew on board. (Australia- Aircraft-Tracking) - - - - KOTA BHARU, MALAYSIA -- The economic ministers from the 10 nations of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on Sunday expressed confidence that the region's economy will grow 5. 1 percent in 2015, above the 3.5 percent global growth projection.

A statement issued at the end of the 21st ASEAN Economic Ministers' Retreat said "We expect ASEAN's economic performance to improve in 2015 to 5.1 percent. We based this on the stronger demand in advanced economies energized by the robust U.S. recovery ad several policy stimulus measures in the Eurozone and Japan." ( Malaysia-ASEAN-Growth)

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FAIZABAD, Afghanistan -- Over a dozen Taliban militants laid down their weapons in the northern Badakhshan province on Sunday, said Abdul Wahid Taebi, head of the government-backed provincial peace body.

"A total of 14 Taliban militants who were involved in anti- government activities in Tagab district over the past couple of years gave up fighting today and joined the peace process," Taebi, who heads the High Peace Council, told Xinhua. (Afghanistan- Militant-Surrender) Endi