Chinese President Hu Jintao addresses at the 14th APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting held in Hanoi, Vietnam, Nov. 18, 2006. (Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery >>>

    HANOI, Nov. 18 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Hu Jintao on Saturday called for promotion of common development, harmony and win-win progress in the Asia-Pacific region at the 14th APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting.

    Addressing the meeting, Hu said that deepening economic globalization and steady growth in global productivity have presented unprecedented development opportunities to the Asia-Pacific region at present, yet there are many problems and challenges facing the region and the human society as well.

    "That means we need to work together to promote common development, harmony and win-win progress so as to benefit the people in the region and contribute more to world peace and development," Hu said.

    To meet this goal, President Hu put forward four proposals.

    First, maintain peace and stability because a peaceful and stable environment is the prerequisite for development, Hu said.

    To maintain peace and stability requires equality, mutual trust and peaceful coexistence in handling state-to-state relations, Hu said, calling for dialogue in enhancing trust and removing misunderstanding, consultation in bridging differences and negotiation in defusing conflicts.

    In addition, "we should crack down on terrorism and transnational crimes of all forms and pay special attention to addressing their root causes," President Hu said.

    Second, promote common development. Hu said imbalance in the regional development remains though the Asia-Pacific economy has achieved stunning success.

    To solve the pressing issue of the development gap both among and inside the APEC members, which, developed and less developed ones, should take concerted effort to narrow the gap and promote common development and prosperity, Hu said.

    Third, boost win-win cooperation. In the past decade, with close communication, economies in the region have overcome challenges that no country alone can resolve, such as the financial crisis, SARS, tsunami and bird flu, Hu said.

    Challenges such as high energy prices, imbalances in economic development and major communicable diseases still exist and the most effective response is strengthened cooperation, Hu said.

    "Common challenges often create opportunities. We should seize opportunities, meet challenges, expand common interests and strive for win-win progress," the president added.

    Fourth, be open and inclusive. "Diversity is an important driving force for progress in human civilization," Hu said.

    Exchanges among different cultures and beliefs and mutual enrichment among different social systems and development models add to the diversity and vitality of the world and enable people of different countries and regions to draw on each other's strength and live in harmony, the president added.

    President Hu is in Hanoi to attend APEC economic leaders' meeting which has attracted leaders or representatives from its 21members.