Xinhua Asia-Pacific news summary at 1600 GMT, Dec. 21

PAK CHONG, Thailand -- Thailand and China jointly inaugurated the construction of Thailand's first high-speed railway from Bangkok to northeastern province of Nakhon Ratchasima on Thursday.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said in a congratulatory letter that the China-Thailand high-speed railway is a flagship project in jointly realizing the Belt and Road Initiative in the spirit of "wide consultation, joint construction and shared benefits." (China-Thailand-Railway)

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SEOUL -- The number of death toll rose to 29 in a South Korean building fire accident Thursday in the country's southeastern city, according to local media reports.

The fire broke out in an eight-story fitness center building in Jecheon city, North Chungcheong province, about 170 km southeast of capital Seoul. (South Korea-Fire)

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MANILA -- At least four people were killed when a ferry carrying 251 passengers and crew sank off Quezon province in heavy waves on Thursday, but majority of those on board were rescued, authorities said.

In an official statement, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said 240 passengers were rescued several hours after the ferry boat sank five nautical miles off Infanta town in Quezon province, southeast of Manila. (Philippines-Ferry-Accident)

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ISLAMABAD -- At least seven people were killed and four others injured in a gun attack and landmine blast in Pakistan's southwestern Balochistan province on Thursday, local Urdu media reported.

According to local reports, the incident happened in the morning when a group of unknown gunmen opened fire on a house in the Toba Nohkani area of district Dera Bughti in the province, resulting in deaths of six members of a family which included women and children and injured two others. (Pakistan-Attack)

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TOKYO -- Japan's central bank chief Haruhiko Kuroda said Thursday that the recent surge in the price of bitcoin is "abnormal."

The Bank of Japan Governor made the remarks at a press conference following the central bank's two-day policy meeting. (Japan-Bitcoin)

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TOKYO -- A resolution demanding all U.S. military flights over schools and hospitals be suspended was unanimously adopted by the Okinawa prefectural assembly on Thursday.

The move by the prefectural parliament of Okinawa in Japan's southernmost prefecture follows a window falling from a U.S. military helicopter last week and landing on the grounds of an elementary school narrowly missing children taking a sports class there. (Japan-U.S.-Flight suspension) Enditem