Xinhua Asia-Pacific news summary at 1600 GMT, May 5

India Friday launched the South Asia communication satellite from the spaceport of Sriharikota in the southern state of Andhra Pradesh.

State-owned Indian Space Research Organization's (ISRO) Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV), carrying the satellite, called GSAT-9, lifted off from second launch pad at Satish Dhawan Space Center in Sriharikota at 4:57 p.m. local time. (India-Satellite)

- - - -

YOKOHAMA, Japan -- Finance chiefs from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as well as Japan, China and South Korea discussed global and regional economy and financial cooperation here Friday at the 20th ASEAN+3 Finance Ministers' and Central Bank Governors' Meeting. (Japan-ASEAN+3)

- - - -

ISLAMABAD -- Pakistan on Friday summoned Afghan Charge d'Affaires to formally lodge strong protest over the "unprovoked firing by the Afghan forces," the Foreign Ministry said.

Health officials in Quetta, the provincial capital, have confirmed to the media that death toll from the cross-border firing has reached nine while 40 others have been injured. (Pakistan-Afghanistan-Firing)

- - - -

SINGAPORE -- Singapore celebrated the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) Golden Jubilee which commemorates 50 years of the RSN being the maritime force on Friday, the Ministry of Defence said.

In conjunction with the celebration, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong officiated the commissioning of the RSN's first-of-class Littoral Mission Vessel (LMV), RSS Independence, at Changi Naval Base. (Singapore-Navy) Enditem