China's Li arrived in Manila on the evening of Nov. 15 by chartered plane to attend the China-ASEAN leaders' meeting at the invitation of Philippine President Marcos. He was met at Ninoy Aquino International Airport by the Philippine finance minister and China's ambassadors to the Philippines and to ASEAN. Li travelled to Manila after completing a formal visit to Thailand; Thailand's deputy prime minister and finance minister and China's ambassador to Thailand saw him off in Bangkok.

Trump senior adviser and son-in-law Kushner said lasting peace requires providing Ukraine with credible security guarantees and establishing detailed, feasible post-war security arrangements to reduce the risk of renewed hostilities.

Qatar-based UCC Oil and Gas Holding is negotiating to take over two onshore oil and gas fields in Venezuela, targeting the El Furrial and Jusepin fields in northern Monagas state. Monagas is a major Venezuelan oil-producing region; Shell and other firms have already agreed to develop projects there this year. If completed, an El Furrial deal would give UCC access to one of PDVSA’s most valuable conventional oil assets. Foreign reports say the talks reflect UCC’s push to expand in Venezuela and note that the Trump administration in January removed Maduro and has since cooperated with his successor, Rodriguez.