Xinhua Asia-Pacific News Summary at 1600 GMT, May 2

JAKARTA -- President of China Railway Corporation Lu Dongfu visited Wednesday Tunnel No.1 construction of Jakarta-Bandung High Speed Railway project, assuring the quality of the high-technology train transport project jointly carried out by China and Indonesia state firm consortium.

During his visit in the location close to East Jakarta airport of Halim Perdanakusuma, Lu was accompanied by Minister of State-owned Enterprises of Indonesia Rini Soemarno. (Indonesia-China-High Speed Railway)

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WELLINGTON --The New Zealand government is disappointed that it has not been included in the U.S. announcement on exemptions from steel and aluminum tariffs, Trade and Export Growth Minister David Parker said on Wednesday.

"Disappointment has also been expressed by other countries including South Africa and Japan, which has reportedly described the move as extremely regrettable," Parker said in a statement, adding the situation remains unclear even in regard to those countries named as having an exemption. (New Zealand-U.S.-Tarrif)

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KABUL -- Afghan government Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah on Wednesday described the attack on journalists as a crime against the freedom of press and humanity.

He assured that the government would spare no efforts to ensure the safety of journalists. (Afghanistan-Journalists-Attack)

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CANBERRA -- Australia and France announced on Wednesday to form a defence symposium to increase cooperation in the area.

The Australia-France Defence Industry Symposium was announced by Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and French President Emmanuel Macron during Macron's official visit to Australia on Wednesday. (Australia-France-Cooperation) Enditem