Chinese leader Xi Jinping told Asia-Pacific leaders on Friday that his country would help to defend global free trade at an annual economic regional forum snubbed by U.S. President Donald Trump.

Chinese President Xi Jinping took centrestage at a meeting of APEC leaders on Saturday to push a proposal for a global body to govern artificial intelligence and position China as an alternative to the United States on trade cooperation.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. shook hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping during the handover ceremony of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) chairmanship on Saturday. China will chair the Apec Summit in 2026.

Trump is in South Korea, the final stop of his Asia tour, where he says he expects to nail down a "good deal for both" China and the U.S. with Xi Jinping.

G-DRAGONs APEC Performance Impresses Xi Jinping, Lee Jae-myung K-pop star becomes sole artist at leaders dinner, captivating global attendees with innovative stage