Xi puts forward proposals on APEC cooperation in next ‘golden 30 years’

SAN FRANCISCO – Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday called on the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) members to stick to innovation, openness, green and inclusive development in promoting regional cooperation in order for the region to usher in another “golden 30 years.”

Addressing the 30th APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting held at Moscone Center here, Xi said that since the establishment of the economic leaders’ regular meeting mechanism, APEC has always stood at the global forefront of openness and development, and has played a robust role in promoting Asia-Pacific trade and investment liberalization and facilitation, economic growth and technological progress, and the flow of goods and people. It has helped create the “Asia-Pacific miracle” that has staggered the world.

Xi regarded it imperative to remain steadfast in our commitment to APEC’s founding mission, respond to the calls of our times responsibly, meet global challenges together, fully deliver on the Putrajaya Vision of building an open, dynamic, resilient and peaceful Asia-Pacific community for the prosperity of all our people and future generations.

He called on APEC members to stay committed to innovation-driven development, saying it is important to follow the trends of scientific and technological advancement, more proactively promote exchanges and cooperation in science and technology, and work together for an open, fair, equitable and non-discriminatory environment for scientific and technological progress.

Xi stressed the necessity to accelerate digital transformation, narrow the digital divide, support the application of big data, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, quantum computing and other new technologies, and create new momentum and new drivers of growth in the Asia-Pacific region.

China has put forward a number of initiatives for promoting growth and development in the region through digital empowerment, such as digital technology-driven rural development, corporate digital identity, and transition to a green and low-carbon economy through the application of digital technologies, he said.

Xi stressed the importance of staying committed to openness in development.

He urged the APEC members to promote free and open trade and investment, support and strengthen the WTO (World Trade Organization)-centered multilateral trading regime, and keep global industrial and supply chains open and stable, noting the APEC members must say no to any attempt to politicize, weaponize, or impose security implications on economic and trade issues.

It is important to remain unwavering to promote regional economic integration, and accelerate the building of a Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific, Xi said.

The recent third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation that China hosted was a success, injecting fresh impetus into global connectivity and the building of an open world economy, he said.

It is also necessary to stay committed to green development, said the Chinese president.

APEC members must continue to promote harmony between man and nature, accelerate the transition to green and low-carbon development, and see to it that reducing carbon emissions and mitigating pollution operate in parallel with expanding green transition and promoting economic growth, Xi said.

China, he said, is making active yet prudent moves toward its goal of carbon peak and carbon neutrality, and is accelerating its transition to green development. China has put forward initiatives for cooperation between APEC member economies in green agriculture, sustainable city development, green and low-carbon energy transition, and marine pollution control and prevention. All such initiatives aim to build a clean and beautiful Asia-Pacific region.

Furthermore, Xi also called for staying committed to inclusive development that delivers benefits to all.

APEC members need to fully implement the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, put development back on the international agenda as a central priority, develop greater synergy in our development strategies, and work together to resolve the global development deficit, Xi said.

China welcomes participation by all parties in the Global Development Initiative (GDI) to deepen cooperation in poverty reduction, food security, industrialization and development financing and build a global community of development so that the fruits of modernization are shared by people across the world, Xi said.

China will continue to support APEC in its economic and technical cooperation and work together with other member economies to make the “cake” of Asia-Pacific development bigger, he said.

China is advancing the noble cause of building a great country and national rejuvenation on all fronts through a Chinese path to modernization, Xi said, noting China will remain committed to the path of peaceful development and will continue to pursue high-quality development and high-standard opening up.

Chinese modernization will bring the world more and greater opportunities for the modernization of all countries, said Xi, adding that he is ready to work with other APEC leaders for new success in Asia-Pacific cooperation and for another “golden 30 years” of the region. (China Daily)