BEIJING, July 16 (Xinhua) - Chinese President Xi Jinping started addressing the Informal Economic Leaders' Retreat of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) held on Friday.
Chinese President Xi Jinping addresses the Informal Economic Leaders' Retreat of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) via video link in Beijing, capital of China, July 16, 2021. (Photo: Xinhua)
The meeting was initiated by this year's APEC chair New Zealand.
Xi urges solidarity, cooperation among APEC members to fight COVID-19, promote economic recovery
Xi called on APEC members to strengthen solidarity and cooperation to overcome the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and boost global economic recovery.
"For member economies of the Asia-Pacific, defeating COVID-19 and restoring growth at an early date are our top priority for the time being," he said.
Xi made a four-pronged proposal for Asia-Pacific cooperation, including strengthening international cooperation on COVID-19 response, deepening regional economic integration, pursuing inclusive and sustainable development, and seizing opportunities from scientific and technological innovation.
China will build a new system of open economy of higher standards, create a more attractive business environment, and advance high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, he said, expressing the hope to work with countries in the Asia-Pacific and beyond to achieve higher-standard mutual benefit and win-win cooperation.
China provides over 500 mln doses of COVID-19 vaccines to developing countries
China has provided more than 500 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines to other developing countries, President Xi Jinping said Friday.
China to provide another 3 bln USD in int'l aid
China will provide another 3 billion U.S. dollars in international aid over the next three years to support COVID-19 response and economic and social recovery in other developing countries, Xi said Friday.
China finances founding of sub-fund for APEC COVID-19 response
China has financed the founding of a Sub-Fund on APEC Cooperation on Combating COVID-19 and Economic Recovery, President Xi Jinping said Friday.
The sub-fund will help APEC economies win an early victory over COVID-19 and achieve economic recovery, said Xi.
Xi calls for open, fair, non-discriminatory digital business environment
Xi called on APEC members to work for a digital business environment that is open, fair and non-discriminatory.
"Win-win cooperation is the only right way forward, while a closed-door policy, exclusion, confrontation and division would only lead to a dead end," Xi said, calling the global digital economy an open and close-knit entity.
Xi fully confident in humanity's win over pandemic, world economic recovery
Xi on Friday voiced full confidence in humanity's victory over the pandemic through cooperation, in the prospects of world economic recovery, and in a shared, bright future of humanity.
"Turn your face to the sun and the shadows will fall behind you," Xi said, citing a Maori saying in New Zealand.
Xi opposes erecting walls, decoupling
Xi called for removing barriers, opening up and seeking integration.
Addressing the APEC Informal Economic Leaders' Retreat via video link in Beijing, Xi stressed the importance of promoting the liberalization and facilitation of trade and investment.
"We must remove barriers, not erect walls. We must open up, not close off. We must seek integration, not decoupling," Xi said.
This is the way to make economic globalization more open, inclusive, balanced and beneficial for all, he said.