Xinhua Asia-Pacific News Summary at 1600 GMT, Dec. 4

TOKYO -- Some 70 business leaders, former senior officials, experts and scholars exchanged views on enhancing bilateral cooperation at the third round of Sino-Japanese Entrepreneurs and Former High-level Officials Dialogue that kicked off in Tokyo on Monday.

Zeng Peiyan, former Chinese vice premier and Chairman of China Center for International Economic Exchanges, and Yasuo Fukuda, former Japanese premier, are among the participants of the dialogue. (Japan-China-Dialogue)

----

BALI, Indonesia -- Despite the ongoing visually calming condition in Bali's volcano of Mount Agung, authorities have yet to consider downgrading the alert status as magmatic activities remained high.

The intense movements of magmatic activities were clearly detected by the seismic records, leading the authorities to take extra cautious stance in anticipating the developing condition, an official monitoring the volcano said here on Monday. (Indonesia-Volcano-Eruption)

----

BANGKOK -- Thailand approves the environmental impact assessment (EIA) of Thailand-China railway, paving the way for the start of construction of the first 3.5-km section this month.

According to website of Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning, National Environment Board of the office approved a second part of EIA of the first phase of Thailand-China railway during a meeting on Nov. 30 after approving the first part earlier this year, which means the EIA of the high-speed project is finally approved. (Thailand-China-Railway)

----

ISLAMABAD -- U.S. Secretary of Defense James Mattis told Pakistani Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Monday that his visit aimed at finding common grounds in order to create a positive, consistent and long-term relationship with Pakistan, according to Pakistani Prime Minister's Office.

Mattis paid a day-long visit here for talks on security issues that focused on anti-terror cooperation and peace in Afghanistan. (Pakistan-U.S.-Anti-terrorism) Enditem