Though events like the annual Pacific Rim summit are staged in minute detail, the “informal” discussions gave the leaders further time to size up the new guy on the block, following the weekend meetings of the Group of 20 industrial nations in Turkey.
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While #APEChottie dominates chatter outside the talks, inside APEC meeting rooms the focus is on more serious issues.
The leaders say economic growth has lifted many people out of poverty but acknowledge millions are still left behind. They say renewed efforts are needed to eradicate the extremes of poverty.
Chinese leader Xi, whose country is now the largest overall emitter of the pollutants contributing to global warming, said his country was committed to cleaning up its environment.
The leaders said they are stressing the “urgent need for increased global cooperation and solidarity in the fight against terrorism”.
“You and your family look great”, Obama said.
The 54-year-old president also told the story of his congratulatory phone call to Trudeau after his election win.
Trudeau and President Barack Obama are speaking to reporters after their first formal meeting since Trudeau took office earlier this month.
But in the budding relationship between Obama and the younger Trudeau, there may be potential for collaboration, given the youth-oriented campaign that Trudeau ran – Obama noted the similarity to his own “hope and change” message – and their shared affinity for progressive social policies, especially on climate change. There’s an exodus of foreign leaders slated for those periods, which severely restricts use of the airspace by commercial planes.
“Given that President Obama was going to reject the pipeline, sooner was better for him”, said Coleman. Hundreds of flights have been canceled or delayed during APEC. Another nine including Obama leave between 9 a.m. and 12.30 p.m. on Friday. Two people were killed and eight arrested. Nor was Philippine President Benigno Aquino, although he is still called the most eligible bachelor in the country.
The statement, which also mentions attacks in Beirut and against a Russian airliner over Sinai, is a departure from convention for the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation forum which normally focuses on trade and business issues.
APEC has its detractors, and anti-globalization protesters clashed with police near heavily guarded summit venues, despite rigorous security restrictions that closed major downtown thoroughfares to all but official vehicles. Police used water cannons and canes to try and disperse the crowd.
Earlier about 100 students clashed with police at a public square, with the two sides pushing and shoving and police beating protesters with their batons after the students crossed over a security barricade.
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The newspaper said that the two leaders have been described in reports as “Apec hotties”.
