“You know the two big giants in the room,” Papua New Guinea (PNG) Prime Minister Peter O’Neill said at a closing news conference, when asked which of the 21 members of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) group could not agree.

“We have seen no signs of China looking to delay or put on hold its commitments to open up the financial sector despite the challenges on other fronts. If anything, they are looking to advance the process,” said a top executive at a large foreign insurance company with a China presence.

America is not impressed.

Report finds China’s dominance of networking-equipment manufacturing threatens 5G wireless infrastructure.

Rubio said in a statement that some Chinese officials were responsible for “possible crimes against humanity.”

Remarks served as warning to Southeast Asian leaders, who are preparing for a summit in Singapore this week.

Washington prods private sector and focuses on financing as Beijing’s ‘Belt and Road’ hits obstacles.

Growers are storing the crop in hopes prices will increase.

Making a rare concession, the State Council, China’s cabinet, said that it had decided to postpone an order made last month to undo a 25-year ban on the trade.

The Friday conversation didn’t lead to any breakthrough in those issues but the renewed discussions indicate the two sides are trying to reach an accommodation, the officials say.