China’s Xi promises to protect free trade at Apec as Trump snubs major summit

Chinese President Xi Jinping attends the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Gyeongju, South Korea (Yonhap via AP)

Chinese leader Xi Jinping has told Asia-Pacific leaders that his country will help to defend global free trade at an annual economic regional forum snubbed by US President Donald Trump.

Mr Xi took centre stage at the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (Apec) summit that began on Friday in the South Korean city of Gyeongju, as Mr Trump left the country a day earlier after reaching deals with Mr Xi meant to ease their escalating trade war.