HONG KONG -- The government of China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) on Wednesday announced more relief measures worth more than 4 billion Hong Kong dollars (about 510 million U.S. dollars) amid ongoing economic hardship.

At a press briefing, Financial Secretary Paul Chan elaborated on all the nine new measures, from reduction of water and sewage services charges to subsidies on power use and instalment tax payment.

"For this round of measures, most of them are targeted towards supporting businesses, especially small and medium enterprises," Chan said, stressing that supporting businesses will help safeguard jobs, which is the number one priority at present. (Hong Kong-Stimulus Plan)

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SEOUL -- China and South Korea should jointly uphold multilateralism, advocate free trade, and strive to build an open world economy, visiting Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said here on Wednesday.

Wang made the remarks at a meeting with South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha during his two-day visit to South Korea.

At present unilateralism and protectionism are on the rise. China and South Korea should strengthen communication and coordination on the multilateral stage, jointly safeguard the core status of the United Nations, adhere to multilateralism, preserve free trade and devote to building an open world economy, Wang stressed. (China-South Korea-Meeting)

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MANILA -- Philippine Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said on Wednesday he has recommended the lifting of martial law that President Rodrigo Duterte imposed in southern Philippines in 2017 to crush the terrorists with military means.

Lorenzana, the administrator of martial law, said his recommendation not to extend martial law when it expires on Dec. 31, 2019 is based on the assessment conducted by the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police.

Lorenzana said the recommendation was submitted to the presidential office on Wednesday. (Philippine Defense Minister-Recommendation)

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TOKYO -- Japan's top government spokesperson said Wednesday the country's financial share of the costs for U.S. forces to be stationed in Japan is at an "appropriate" level as per a bilateral deal, with the remarks following those by U.S. President Donald Trump suggesting otherwise.

"We have been sharing the cost of stationing U.S. forces in Japan appropriately based on the existing bilateral agreement," Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told a press conference on the matter.

Suga opted not to comment specifically on remarks made by Trump a day earlier ostensibly calling for Japan to shoulder more of the costs, stating that he is aware of the remarks but would not disclose details of the two countries' diplomatic talks. (Japan-US-Cost Share)

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TOKYO -- Japan's upper house of parliament on Wednesday approved a trade deal that was agreed upon by U.S. President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

The deal, elements of which have drawn criticism from opposition lawmakers, will see Japan lower its 38.5 percent tariff on U.S. beef to 9 percent gradually and eliminate or reduce tariffs on U.S. pork products as part of Tokyo's overall commitment to reduce or eliminate tariffs on 7.2 billion U.S. dollars of U.S. farm goods.

Under the deal, U.S. products including wheat, wine and cheese will also be granted greater access to the Japanese market, as Trump seeks to reduce the United States' hefty trade deficit with Japan. (Japan-US-Trade Deal) Enditem

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