Anti-terrorism measures and the global economy are expected to be high on the agenda at the Asia-Europe Meeting, or ASEM, which opened in Ulan Bator on Friday.

Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is among the leaders taking part from 53 member nations and organizations.

European Council President Donald Tusk called on the participants to unite in the fight against violence and hatred. Other leaders joined him in denouncing terrorism.

Two weeks before the attack in Nice, an armed group killed more than 20 people, including 7 Japanese, in Bangladesh.

Another focus is how the participants will deal with China's disputes with several parties in the South China Sea.

An international tribunal in The Hague ruled this week that China's claims to the waters have no legal basis.

China has refused to accept the decision, calling it unjust.

Premier Li Keqiang and Foreign Minister Wang Yi are meeting other leaders on the sidelines of the summit to lobby for Beijing's position.

China is also insisting that the summit should not discuss the South China Sea issue.