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Xinhua Asia-Pacific news summary at 1030 GMT, Feb. 23

Xinhua,February 23, 2018 Adjust font size:

MANILA -- The Philippines has summoned U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines to the presidential palace to shed light on the recently released U.S. intelligence report that tags President Rodrigo Duterte as a "regional threat," Philippine and U.S. officials said on Friday.

Duterte's office and the U.S. Embassy issued separate statements about the meeting between Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea and Ambassador Sung Kim on Thursday at the Malacanang presidential palace.(Philippines-US-Report)

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MALE -- The Maldivian Elections Commission on Friday said the first round of presidential elections would be held early September and preparations for the polls had already begun.

The President's Office in a statement said it welcomed the announcement and encouraged all relevant stakeholders to offer the Elections Commission their full, unreserved support for the conduct of their work.(Maldives-Election)

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MANILA -- Calamba City in the Philippines and Jinjiang City in China have signed a Letter of Intent to enhance friendship, understanding and cooperation in the fields of science and technology, culture, education, public health and sports, among others, the Philippine government said on Friday.

"The twinning of Calamba and Jinjiang cities is a long term initiative of the Consulate General under its political, cultural and economic diplomacy programs," Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) of the Philippines said in a statement.(Philippines-China-Cities)

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SEOUL -- South Korea and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) will hold a working-level dialogue next week to discuss the DPRK's participation in the Winter Paralympics, Seoul's unification ministry said Friday.

South Korea offered Tuesday to hold the working-level talks, and the DPRK accepted the proposal earlier in the day, according to the unification ministry.(S.Korea-DPRK-Talks)

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NEW DELHI -- India and Canada Friday inked six pacts, over sectors including sports, education and energy, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi held delegation-level talks with visiting Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in the capital.

Addressing a joint media meet, Modi said: "India and Canada can work together in every sector. We discussed many issues, including defense cooperation. Terrorism and extremism are a threat to countries like ours and to fight these elements, we should come together."(India-Canada-Pacts) Enditem

 

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