Asia (except ME & Indian SC)

Beijing, Jun 28 (AP/PTI) Beijing on Friday criticized "negative content" about China in legislation before the U.S. Congress, saying it would further damage relations already roiled by disputes over trade and technology.

Foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said the draft National Defense Authorization Act, if passed, would undermine efforts to mutually overcome obstacles.

"We express firm opposition to the U.S. Senate's approval of the act containing negative content related to China," Geng told reporters at a daily briefing.

Osaka, Jun 28; PTI/GANASHAKTI: India Friday said its decision to purchase S-400 missile defence system from Russia did not figure during the talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump though they discussed ways to step up the bilateral military cooperation.

The S-400 is known as Russia's most advanced long-range surface-to-air missile defence system. China was the first foreign buyer to seal a government-to-government deal with Russia in 2014 for the system.

Osaka, Jun 28 (AFP/PTI) President Vladimir Putin on Friday invited Donald Trump to Russia in May to mark the 75th anniversary of the victory over Adolf Hitler, according to top foreign policy advisor Yury Ushakov.

Trump responded in a "very positive manner," said Ushakov, according to rolling news channel Russia 24.

OSAKA, Japan, June 29 (Xinhua) -- Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi called upon all parties to honor their commitments and take concrete actions in tackling climate change at a trilateral meeting of China, France and the United Nations (UN) here on Saturday.

The meeting, held on the sidelines of a summit of the Group of 20 major economies, was chaired by Wang and attended by French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

OSAKA, Japan (AP) — For many he’s an international pariah, but you wouldn’t know it by the lavish reception Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has received at the G-20 summit this week.

He beamed as he stood front and center, sandwiched between President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, for a group photo. He exchanged an impish grin as he sat down next to Russian President Vladimir Putin. He posed with South Korean President Moon Jae-in and a group of flag-waving kids ahead of an earlier signing ceremony for $8 billion in deals.

OSAKA, Japan (AP) — The Latest on the Group of 20 summit meetings in Osaka, Japan (all times local):

12:30 p.m.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says he expects the scheduled delivery of Russian air defense missiles under a contract that has vexed the United States.

Erdogan said Saturday at the start of talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the G-20 summit in Osaka, Japan, that the deal is a priority and the delivery of the S-400 air defense systems should start without delay.

OSAKA, Japan (AP) — A summit of the Group of 20 on Saturday was largely eclipsed by President Donald Trump’s talks with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping and by Trump’s announcement via Twitter that he wants to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

The day’s agenda kicked off with a brief meeting on promoting the economic empowerment of women, one of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s missions since he took office in late 2012.

OSAKA, Japan (AP) — The Latest on President Donald Trump’s trip to Asia (all times local):

11:55 a.m.

President Donald Trump says he believes the U.S. and China can “do something” that will be “truly monumental” as he and China’s Xi Jinping meet on the sidelines of a world leaders’ conference in Japan.

Trump is urging the Chinese leader to “even it up” on trade at start of talks on tariffs disputes.

And he says, “it would be historic” if the sides could reach “a fair trade deal.”

OSAKA, Japan (AP) — Smiling together on a global stage, Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin cheerfully dismissed Russian interference in U.S. elections, shared their contempt for the world’s news media and generally flaunted their personal bond on Friday.

That was one day after the Russian leader praised the president of the United States for his nationalist world views and vigorously declared the days of the West’s liberals are dying if not already dead.

OSAKA, Japan (AP) — A trade war between two economic titans faced a critical junction Saturday, as President Donald Trump met with China’s Xi Jinping as both sides signaled a desire to de-escalate the year-long conflict despite doubts about either side’s willingness to compromise.