VLADIVOSTOK, Sept. 9 (Xinhua) -- As Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) leaders ended their two-day summit Sunday with a pledge to promote integration and innovative growth, they proved again the strength of speaking with one voice.
After an intensive summit week, participants reached consensus with a joint declaration that maintaining long-term growth and prosperity was a pressing task for all economies in the region.
Under the theme of "Integrate to Grow, Innovate to Prosper," leaders agreed that robust international trade, investment and economic integration were key drivers of strong, sustainable and balanced growth.
Since its birth in 1989, APEC has grown to encompass 21 members spanning four continents, and represents the most economically dynamic region in the world.
Today, APEC has established itself as a driving force for multi-layer cooperation and regional integration.
However, with a tottering global recovery, a deepening sovereign debt crisis in Europe and the rising threat of protectionism, the APEC mechanism needs to prove its flexibility to make the needed responses to global change.
As Chinese President Hu Jintao said at the summit, though the Asia-Pacific region maintained sound momentum of growth, member economies should not overlook the impact of the ailing world economy on the region and address common challenges together.
China, a firm supporter of regional integration and common growth, has consistently cooperated with other APEC members.
It also promised to upgrade infrastructure and accelerate domestic economic restructuring in the context of promoting stable growth and recovery.
In addition, China would work with other APEC partners to facilitate trade liberalization and connectivity in the region, Hu said.
One thorny issue that has beset the APEC format is the balancing of benefits among member economies that have huge differences in development and demands.
Narrowing those divergences is always the product of sincere negotiations, and APEC has never been a stranger to that approach.
As Russian President and host Vladimir Putin said, the Vladivostok summit not only proved the efficiency of the APEC forum but also "opened new horizons, giving positive signals to business circles in the region."
At the end of the APEC Economic Leaders' meeting, member economies approved a list of 54 items of environment-friendly goods for tariff reduction after several months' work. A similar goal has taken the World Trade Organization more than 10 years of talks without a result.
In addition, the leaders pledged to refrain until the end of 2015 from raising new barriers to trade and investment, and not to impose new export restrictions or implement WTO-inconsistent measures in all areas.
As was inked in the principles and spirit of the regional forum, a prosperous Asia-Pacific favors the common interests of all APEC members and is the ultimate goal for regional cooperation.
To that end, APEC leaders should reinforce cooperation on the basis of voluntarism, reach consensus via negotiations and seek common ground while reserving differences over the long haul.
VLADIVOSTOK, Sept. 9 (Xinhua) -- Economic leaders of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) members on Sunday issued here a joint declaration that outlines future development of the region.
Under the theme of "Integrate to Grow, Innovate to Prosper," the leaders agreed that robust international trade, investment and economic integration are key drivers of strong, sustainable and balanced growth. Full story
VLADIVOSTOK, Sept. 9 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Hu Jintao left here for home Sunday, after attending the annual Economic Leaders' Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) in this Russian Far East city.
At the two-day meeting, Hu and leaders of other APEC members exchanged views on trade and investment liberalization, regional economic integration, food security and the establishment of reliable supply chains, as well as cooperation to foster innovative growth. Full story
|
