A busy week of Asian summits lies ahead, with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang among the leaders joining gatherings that will include discussions on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). 

Russian President Vladimir Putin, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and South Korean President Moon Jae-in will be among the other world leaders in attendance, but US President Donald Trump is staying at home.

Southeast Asian leaders gather in Singapore for the ASEAN annual summit this week, and Premier Li will attend the 21st China-ASEAN (10+1) Summit, the 21st ASEAN Plus Three Summit (10+3) and the 13th East Asia Summit from November 12 to 16. 

China and ASEAN are expected to unveil the China-ASEAN Strategic Partnership Vision 2030, a plan that would synergize ASEAN's development plans with the Belt and Road Initiative. Discussions on RCEP, the proposed free trade agreement (FTA) between ASEAN nations and the six countries ASEAN has existing FTAs with will take place on Wednesday.

President Xi will attend the 2018 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders' meeting in Papua New Guinea later in the week. Several leaders will travel on to APEC from the ASEAN-related meetings in Singapore and the headline issues are expected to be similar. Trade relations and countering US protectionism will be high on the agenda. US Vice President Mike Pence will be in attendance to press the Trump administration's argument.

The strains within the European Union will also be in the headlines this week, with time running out for an emergency Brexit summit to be convened and Italy due to publish a revised budget under threat of sanctions from the European Commission. 

EU Brexit chief Michel Barnier is due to brief ministers from the EU27 on progress in talks, and the UK's Brexit secretary Dominic Raab could travel to Brussels later in the week to unveil a negotiated agreement. Italy has so far said it will not make concessions to the EU despite the threat of sanctions over the size of its projected deficit, setting up a potential clash, and concerns are also growing over the stability of the country's banks.

Monday: Chinese Premier Li Keqiang visits Singapore ahead of the ASEAN summit, Chinese State Councilor Wang Yong hosts Canadian ministers for an economic and financial strategy dialogue in Beijing, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas arrives in Beijing for the fourth China-Germany Diplomatic and Security Strategic Dialogue, US Vice President Mike Pence meets Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Tokyo, and Italy hosts a Libya peace conference.

Tuesday: The ASEAN summit opening ceremony takes place in Singapore, the deadline arrives for the Italian government to present a revised budget proposal as it tries to avoid EU sanctions, the US Congress reconvenes for the first time since the midterm elections, and EU Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmström is due in Washington for EU-US trade talks.

Wednesday: ASEAN leaders discuss the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership and meet with counterparts from China, Russia and South Korea, and voters in Fiji elect a new parliament.

Thursday: World leaders including Premier Li attend the East Asia Summit – and the ASEAN Plus Three Summit also takes place – on the final day of ASEAN-related meetings in Singapore, and German Chancellor Angela Merkel holds a press conference after a two-day government retreat.

Friday: The APEC summit begins in Papua New Guinea with a series of keynote speeches from world leaders, and African Union heads of state hold an extraordinary summit in Ethiopia to try to push through institutional reforms.

Saturday: The APEC summit opening session takes place in Papua New Guinea.

Sunday: The APEC summit plenary session takes place in Papua New Guinea, and it's the start of campaigning for presidential and National Assembly elections in Nigeria.