Xinhua Asia-Pacific news summary at 1600 GMT, March 31

JAKARTA -- The authorities of Indonesia's Batam Island officially started on Sunday the operation of direct shipment from Batuampar Port to China's Guangzhou and Shenzhen to boost trade between the two countries. The direct shipping service was initiated by Persero Batam and the Batam Concession Agency in collaboration with SITC International Holdings, a Hong Kong-based shipping logistics company. (Indonesia-Chi.....»»