There were lions, lavish praise and even a claim that “God made Trump.”

Minister of Finance Lan Foan will lead the nation's delegation at the Apec Finance Ministers' Meeting to be held in Hong Kong next Tuesday and Wednesday, according to mainland authorities. The Ministry of Finance in Beijing said on Wednesday Lan will chair the meeting while vice finance minister Liao Min will speak on behalf of the country. The meeting, the first to be held in Hong Kong, will be attended by finance ministers or representatives from 21 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) economies, as well as from international organisations. The ministry said four major topics have been proposed for the meeting: financial policies that support people’s livelihoods, digital infrastructure financing, driving the development of financial inclusion in light of local conditions, and promoting exchanges and cooperation among young finance professionals. It added that the meeting serves as an important platform for Asia-Pacific economies to strengthen communication on macroeconomic policies and financial cooperation, and allows representatives of Apec economies to exchange views. In addition to the meeting, a series of exchange activities would be arranged, the ministry said. These include a closed-door meeting among finance ministers and a luncheon with Asia-Pacific business representatives on Tuesday before the start of the finance ministers' meeting, as well as a press conference scheduled for the following day. Edited by Cecil Wong

Foreign Affairs Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow has played down concerns over a Chinese airport project in Laos, about 50km from the Thai border, saying it has not raised any immediate concerns for Thailand.