China urges APEC to send strong message against protectionism
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Visiting Chinese President Hu Jintao said in Singapore Thursday he hoped the forthcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders Meeting would send a "clear and strong" message against trade and investment protectionism.
During a meeting with Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Hu said he hoped the APEC Economic Leaders Meeting would support the World Trade Organization Doha Round negotiations and gain "comprehensive and balanced" results "as early as possible" based on achieved results.
The Chinese president also hoped the APEC meeting would put forward concrete measures on strengthening regional cooperation and promoting economic growth, and make positive contribution to international cooperation against the global financial crisis.
"We hope the meeting will achieve new developments in pushing forward regional integration, improving trade and investment environment, strengthening regional connection and supporting the developing member economies in capacity-building," said the Chinese president.
"China is ready to exert efforts with Singapore and other APEC member economies in this regard," he added.
Lee Hsien Loong said Singapore and China should learn from each other, increase exchanges, and strengthen bilateral and multilateral cooperation in the era of globalization.
Lee said the forthcoming 17th APEC Economic Leaders Meeting would be very important, and he thanked China's support to Singapore for hosting the meeting.
President Hu Jintao's attendance will play an important role in pushing forward the development of APEC, the Singaporean prime minister said.
"Singapore welcomes China enhancing cooperation with members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), welcomes China's active participation in Asia-Pacific regional cooperation," Lee said, adding that his country is ready to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with China in the Group of 20 and other international organizations.
President Hu arrived in Singapore on Wednesday afternoon for a state visit and the APEC Economic Leaders Meeting.
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