Xinhua Asia-Pacific News Summary at 1600 GMT, Jan. 18

PHNOM PENH -- Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen launched the National Ageing Policy (2017-2030) on Thursday with the aim of further improving well-being of older persons in the country.

Speaking at the launching ceremony at the Peace Palace here, Hun Sen said the policy was to further enhancing and improving the life quality of elderly persons in Cambodia with emphasis on ensuring them equal rights and opportunities. (Cambodia-Aging Policy)

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HONG KONG -- Hong Kong's unemployment rate in the fourth season of 2017 decreased to below 3 percent for the first time in nearly 20 years, statistics released Thursday by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government showed.

According to the latest labor force statistics released by the HKSAR government's Census and Statistics Department, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased from 3 percent in the third season of 2017 to 2.9 percent in the fourth season, while the underemployment rate remained unchanged at 1.1 percent in the two periods. (Hong Kong-Unemployment)

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TOKYO -- The visiting Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe pledged Thursday to strengthen security and economic cooperation between their countries during an annual summit meeting.

According to a joint statement released after the meeting, the two sides agreed to further strengthen their "special strategic partnership." (Japan-Australia)

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SUVA -- Fiji, a South Pacific Island state with a population of more than 880,000, will hold its general election this year, a Fijian Electoral Commission official said here on Thursday.

The election may be held between April and November this year, Suresh Chandra, chairperson of Fiji's Electoral Commission, said on Thursday while jointly launching with the Fijian Elections Office the Media Handbook, the Provisional Voter List and the Provisional Polling Venue List for this year's election. (Fiji-Election) Enditem