EM ASIA FX-Most Asian currencies softer ahead of high level Sino-U.S. trade talks

* Most softer on U.S.-China, global growth worries

* Chinese yuan and Indonesian rupiah weaken the most

* Philippine peso and Indian rupee benefit from lower oil

prices

(Adds text, updates prices)

By Aditya Soni

Feb 11 (Reuters) - Most emerging Asian units started the

week weaker against the dollar on Monday, as concerns over

slackening world growth and a possible resurgence in U.S.-China

trade frictions kept investors on the sidelines.

With the latest round of high-level talks between U.S. and

Chinese officials set to kick-off on Thursday, investors stayed

away from risk-sensitive assets and bet on safe-haven dollar.

The Indonesian rupiah declined 0.5 percent and was

among the top decliners in the region, following data on Friday

that showed the country's current account deficit widened to its

largest in over four years in 2018's final quarter.

A swelling current account deficit has been a cause of

concern for Indonesia and partly contributed to the rupiah's

plunge in 2018.

This has prompted the central bank to hike rates six times

by 175 basis points last year, while the government raised

import taxes and delayed some big infrastructure projects.

Meanwhile, currencies of major oil importers, the Philippine

peso and Indian rupee firmed 0.2 percent and 0.1

percent, respectively, aided by a drop in crude oil futures

.

Boosted by the flight to safety bid, the dollar index

firmed about 0.1 percent, staying near a six-week high.

Expectations of a resolution are low heading into the talks

after U.S. President Donald Trump last week said he did not plan

to meet with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping before a March 1

deadline to achieve a trade deal.

"U.S.-China trade talks over the Valentine's Day will be

closely watched for signs of progress. But the reality is that

olive branches, rather than rose stalks, are the best that

anyone (anchored to reality) may be looking for," Mizuho Bank

said in a client note.

"The half-empty view, with U.S. trade hawks such as

Lighthizer leading trade talks, is that a deal for Trump to sign

off will probably elude. But the half-full take on this

stalemate alongside lack of Trump-Xi meet-up is that the truce

may be extended."

The Chinese yuan and Taiwan dollar, both

of which began trading after a week-long holiday, weakened 0.6

percent and 0.3 percent, respectively.

The South Korean and Malaysian ringgit

posted modest losses.

The following table shows rates for Asian currencies against

the dollar at 0538 GMT.

CURRENCIES VS U.S. DOLLAR

Change on the day at 0538 GMT

Currency Latest bid Previous day Pct Move

Japan yen 109.940 109.72 -0.20

Sing dlr 1.357 1.3563 -0.04

Taiwan dlr 30.830 30.745 -0.28

Korean won 1124.800 1123.9 -0.08

Baht 31.460 31.46 +0.00

Peso 52.010 52.12 +0.21

Rupiah 14035.000 13960 -0.53

Rupee 71.238 71.30 +0.09

Ringgit 4.070 4.067 -0.07

Yuan 6.778 6.7340 -0.64

Change so far in 2019

Currency Latest bid End 2018 Pct Move

Japan yen 109.940 109.56 -0.35

Sing dlr 1.357 1.3627 +0.43

Taiwan dlr 30.830 30.733 -0.31

Korean won 1124.800 1115.70 -0.81

Baht 31.460 32.55 +3.46

Peso 52.010 52.47 +0.88

Rupiah 14035.000 14375 +2.42

Rupee 71.238 69.77 -2.06

Ringgit 4.070 4.1300 +1.47

Yuan 6.778 6.8730 +1.41

(Editing by Sam Holmes)