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Xinhua Asia-Pacific news summary at 0600 GMT, March 2

Xinhua, March 2, 2015 Adjust font size:

Some armed clashes between Myanmar' s government forces and the Kokang ethnic army continued in Kokang region, northeastern Shan state of Myanmar, over the weekend, the military- run Myawaddy Daily reported Monday.

The government side claimed seizing six bodies of the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) with 30 arrested during some sporadic clashes in areas including Napan and Sinkyaing villages near Laukkai. (Myanmar-Conflicts)

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SEOUL -- The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) fired two short-range missiles into its eastern waters on Monday when South Korea and the United States kicked off their joint annual war games.

South Korean Defense Ministry spokesman Kim Min-seok told a press briefing that the DPRK launched two missiles, estimated to be Scud-C ballistic missiles considering altitude, flying velocity and trajectory, from 6:32 a.m. to 6:41 a.m. local time from Nampo areas, South Pyongan Province. (S.Korea-DPRK-Missiles)

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SUVA -- Fiji launched its much anticipated and debated nationwide competition to design a new national flag on Monday, a move seen to be aimed at saying good-bye to the Pacific island country's colonial past.

The competition runs for two months and ends on May 1, so that the new national flag will be hoised for the first time on Oct. 10 this year. The country was colonized by Britain in 1874 and gained independence on Oct. 10, 1970. (Fiji-National Flag)

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HONG KONG -- Hong Kong International Diamond, Gem & Pearl Show opened on Monday at Hong Kong AsiaWorld-Expo.

In 2014, the value of Hong Kong exports of pearls, precious & semi-precious stones amounted to 16.6 billion U.S. dollars, an 11. 9 percent increase compared to the previous year. (HK-Gem Show) Endi