Compiled from AFP-Jiji, Kyodo SHANGHAI -- Leaders of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum kicked off a two-day summit Saturday afternoon, focusing on the global effort against terrorism and measures to reverse an economic slowdown in the region.
U.S. President George W. Bush, on his first overseas trip since September's terrorist attacks, tried to muster backing from fellow APEC leaders for the ongoing U.S.-led military strikes on Afghanistan.
The campaign was launched after the country's Taliban rulers refused to hand over Osama bin Laden, accused by the United States as the mastermind behind the attacks.