Xinhua Asia-Pacific news summary at 1600 GMT, March 29

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said on Wednesday that his country is on its "best level of friendship" with China.

Duterte, in a speech in Oriental Mindoro, an agricultural province in northern part of the country, said he has made the right decision to be friendly with China. (Philippines-China-Ties)

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NEW DELHI -- India's Supreme Court Wednesday banned the sale of all vehicles that that do not comply with strict emission norms under Bharat Stage IV from April 1, ruling that public health is more important than commercial interests.

The Bharat Stage (BS) emission standards are standards instituted by the Indian government to regulate the output of air pollutants from internal combustion engine equipment, including motor vehicles. The standards, based on European regulations, were first introduced in 2000. Currently most vehicles in India are BS III complaint. (India-Vehicle-Ban)

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JAKARTA -- The governments of Indonesia and France have pledged to strengthen cooperation in the fields of fighting terrorism, defense and energy sectors.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo on Wednesday held a meeting with his French counterpart Francois Hollande at the state palace, discussing efforts on how to bring bilateral ties to a higher level.

Both sides pledged a strong commitment to combating extremism and exchanged similar views on the importance of scraping xenophobia. (Indonesia-France-Cooperation)

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KUALA LUMPUR -- Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak on Wednesday highlighted his country's relations with China, saying the bilateral ties are of strategic importance.

While meeting with visiting Vice Chairman of China's Central Military Commission Xu Qiliang, Najib said great achievements have been scored in cooperation between the two sides in such field as politics, economy and trade as well as people-to-people exchange. (Malaysia-China-Visit) Enditem