BEIJING: French President Francois Hollande will make a state visit to China next week, Beijing said yesterday, his first to the world’s number two economy. The trip also represents the first by a leader of a major Western power since China installed its new President Xi Jinping last month. “Both sides will exchange views on China-France relations, China-EU relations and international and regional issues of a common interest,” said foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying. Hollande will meet Xi, Premier Li Keqiang and the head of China’s parliament Zhang Dejiang for high-level talks in Beijing before he visits the commercial hub of Shanghai, Hua said. The visit will take place on April 25-26.
Abu Sayyaf members killed
MANILA: At least eight members of the rogue group Abu Sayyaf were killed and three soldiers were wounded following an encounter in Basilan yesterday. Colonel Carlito Galvez, commander of the Philippine Army’s 104th Brigade, said government security forces attacked the lair of Furuji Indama and Isnilon Hapilon, two of the senior leaders of the Abu Sayyaf based in Basilan. Galvez said government security forces were able to capture the Abu Sayyaf camp, which was 300 metres away from a lair of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front after a three-hour gunfight.
Nato lauds Japan deal
TOKYO: Nato head Anders Fogh Rasmussen yesterday welcomed an agreement signed with Tokyo pledging Japan’s continued cooperation in the fight against “emerging security challenges”. Secretary General Rasmussen, a former Danish prime minister, and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held talks in Tokyo and issued a joint declaration on closer Nato-Japan partnership, local media said. The declaration highlights cooperation in managing natural disasters and “emerging security challenges”, he said.
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