China's Xi at G20 says world economy at risk, warns against protectionism

(Sept 5): The global economy is being threatened by rising protectionism and risks from highly leveraged financial markets, Chinese President Xi Jinping said at the open of a two-day summit of leaders from G20 nations.

His warning on Sunday followed bilateral talks with Barack Obama that the US president described as "extremely productive", but which failed to bring both sides closer on thornier topics such as tensions in the South China Sea.

With the summit taking place after Britain's vote in June to exit the European Union and before the US presidential election in November, observers expect G20 leaders to mount a defence of free trade and globalisation and warn against isolationism.

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