Schröder in China

British Prime Minister Tony Blair is in Syria, on the first stage of a tour of the Middle East. Blair hopes his visit will bring some movement into the stalled Israeli-Palestinan peace process.

The Prime Minister will also attempt to garner wider Arab and Muslim support for the US-led military campaign in Afghanistan.

After talks with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, Blair is due to fly to Saudi Arabia.

On Thursday, the British leader is scheduled to meet for separate talks with both Israeli and Palestinian officials.

The German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder will continue his tour of Asia on Wednesday. After meeting Chinese Prime Minister Zhu Rongji, Schröder will hold talks with President Jiang Zemin. The international fight against terrorism is expected to be on the top agenda of German-Chinese bilateral talks.

Schröder's visit will also focus on fostering economic ties with China. Fifty German business leaders are accompanying Schröder on his Asian trip.

Several contracts are to be signed during the Chancellor's visit, including a contract for a chemical plant in Shanghai involving pharmaceuticals giant Bayer.

Schröder will also pay a visit to a construction site for the high-speed Transrapid railway, which is being built by a German firm.