Chinese President Jiang Zemin will deliver a keynote speech on Thursday evening at a dinner in honor of participants in the October 18-20 APEC CEO Summit, said Zhang Qiyue, spokesperson for China Secretariat for APEC 2001.

The CEO summit will have a special session on China's economic development in the new century and business opportunities created by China's economic growth, Zhang said at a press conference Thursday morning.

Responding to a question on an upcoming meeting between Jiang Zemin and US President George W. Bush, Zhang said this will be a "very important" meeting. The two leaders will exchange views on bilateral relations and international and regional issues of common concern, she said.

Zhang said, President Bush has attached importance to his meeting with Jiang and looks forward to the meeting.

Shi Guangsheng, minister of foreign trade and economic cooperation of China, will meet with US Deputy Secretary of Commerce Samuel W. Bodman on Thursday, according to Zhang.

The spokesperson said, a joint statement will be issued following the conclusion of the ongoing APEC Ministerial Meeting on the same day.

(Xinhua News Agency 10/18/2001)