Gao Hucheng, minister of Commerce, talked about commercial development and the opening up of China, and answered questions during a press conference on March 7 at the press center for the Two Sessions in Beijing.

Gao mentioned at the press conference that Qingdao will hold the APEC Ministers Responsible for Trade (MRT) Meeting on May 17 and 18.

Faced with the current economic situation of the Asia-Pacific region, China proposed an "Asia-Pacific Partnership for the Future" as the meeting’s theme.

It proposed three topics relating to the overall theme, respectively promoting regional economic integration, promoting the economic innovative development and reforming as well as strengthening the establishment of a comprehensive infrastructure and connectivity.

After 13 years, China will once again host the APEC conference and the Ministerial conference.

China hosted the APEC 2001 in Shanghai.