Despite the recent turmoil in the international situation, the ninth APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) Economic Leaders' Meeting (ELM) will be held as scheduled, announced Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Sun Yuxi here Tuesday.

The up-coming ELM, the first important international conference since the September 11 attack on the United States and the resultant U.S. military strike on the Taliban, will provide an opportunity for all APEC economic leaders to exchange views on the new situation and to express their common stand, Sun said.

At the meeting, APEC economic leaders will discuss issues concerning Asia-Pacific economic cooperation and APEC development, Sun said.

( Xinhua News Agency 10/10/2001)