Talking points

US President Barack Obama launches the latest round of the battle over the nation's economic future when he presents an outline of his budget for next year. The budget has drawn opposition from both parties ahead of its publication. Republicans oppose Obama's calls for tax increases, and many of the president's fellow Democrats oppose proposals for smaller annual increases in pensions and other federal benefit programmes.

Guangdong's less developed western region hosts its first trade fair targeting Chinese businesspeople in Asean countries in a bid to boost the local economy. Some 350 guests, including Chinese merchants from Southeast Asia and regional media, have been invited to the fair. They will also tour Zhanjiang's harbour projects, such as the Sino-Kuwait Guangdong integrated refinery and petrochemical project, and the Zhanjiang iron and steel hub.