British Prime Minister David Cameron has met with Chinese President Xi Jinping here in Beijing.

Xi Jinping says China-UK relations have global significance and calls for both sides to cooperate more closely on international challenges.

For his part, David Cameron says the UK maintains high-level connections with China. 

Earlier, Cameron and Chinese premier Li Keqiang oversaw the signing of 10 agreements in areas ranging from legal assistance to space exploration.

A delegation of around 100 business people has accompanied Cameron on his second trip to China since he took office in 2010.

He is scheduled to fly to Shanghai and Sichuan's capital Chengdu during his stay.

 

China urges Japan for introspection at 70th anniversary of Cairo Declaration

China has urged Japan to face major introspection concerning its invasion history as this month marks the 70th anniversary of a World War II declaration.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hong Lei made the remark and also encouraged the island nation to honor its words and implement its international responsibilities.

He also called the Cairo Declaration, which set the tone for the Allies' imminent victory in World War II and the goals for the post-war world order, as an important international legal document.

The spokesperson says celebrating the document's anniversary preserves hard-won peace, stability and development in both the Asia-Pacific region and the world.

 

Japan Biden- US Vice President Joe Biden arrives in Tokyo

US Vice President Joe Biden has arrived in Tokyo to kick-off a week-long Asian trip to show the US still considers Asia an important focus.

While in Japan, Biden will meet with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, tour a technology company and highlight the role of women in Japan's economy.

After Tokyo, Biden will meet with President Xi Jingping in China.

Biden will wrap up his trip in Seoul, where he'll meet with South Korea's president Park Geun-hye and deliver a speech about US-South Korean relations.

Biden will also be briefed on the North Korean nuclear situation and visit the heavily armed Demilitarized Zone, the border between North and South Korea.

 

Thai PM rejects opposition demands, calling for further negociation

Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra says she is ready to do whatever it takes to bring peace to the country.

But at the same time, she has rejected protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban's request to return power to the people, saying his demands have no constitutional basis.

The political turmoil the past couple of days has turned violent, with 3 dead and more than 100 others hurt.

Thaugsuban, a former deputy prime minister, says his aim is to install an unelected "people's council" to select a new prime minister.

He has rejected negotiations and has called for protests to continue on Tuesday and for his supporters to target the Thai Metropolitan police headquarters.

 

Ukrainian authorities ask protesters to quit, vowing more EU integration efforts

Ukrainian authorities urge demonstrators to abide by the law during the country's mass protests, and promise to further the country's EU integration efforts. 

President Viktor Yanukovych says he was upset by clashes between police and pro-EU protesters and has urged authorities and the opposition to unite in identifying those who incite clashes.

This past weekend protesters occupied governmental buildings demanding Yanukovych's impeachment, the government's resignation, and disbandment of parliament.

The protesters have been demonstrating against Yanukovych's decision to suddenly suspend a trade pact with the EU.

 

Investigators continue to probe cause of deadly commuter train crash

US investigators continue to search the cars for survivors and clues of a New York commuter train which crashed over the weekend killing four people.

Two data recorders have been retrieved from the train which derailed while rounding a riverside curve early Sunday morning.

Investigators say the recorders may provide clues concerning the cause of the crash. 

Workers have begun cleaning up the toppled rail carriages with officials warning commuters to brace for crowded trains and travel delays in the coming days. 

Officials have not yet said when trains will begin running again through the crash area.

 

Russia slaps sanctions against DPRK

Russia has introduced sanctions against North Korea in line with a UN Security Council resolution.

The sanctions ban Russian citizens, organizations and businesses from trading commodities or providing financial transactions relating to North Korea's nuclear and missile program.

Pyongyang's banks have also been banned from operating in Russia or running joint ventures with Russian financial institutions.

The decree was signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

 

Police fire tear as protesters demand abolition of new law restricting right to protest

Riot police have fired tear gas and chased away dozens of rights activists and protesters who held a demonstration in the Egyptian city of Alexandria on Monday.

The protesters have demanded the abolition of a new law restricting the right to protest and imposing fines and jail terms on violators.

Protestors threw stones at police, who responded with tear gas before advancing with vehicles.

Egyptian authorities are seeking to put down unrest by both Islamists and secular activists as a government-appointed assembly tries to finish a final draft on an amended constitution.

The draft has raised criticism from democracy advocates for increasing powers of the military and president.