Jointly open a new chapter in Asia-Pacific economic cooperation
—Speech at the 28th APEC Economic Leaders' Informal Meeting
(November 12, 2021)
President of the People's Republic of China Xi Jinping
Dear Prime Minister Ardern,
Dear colleagues,
It's a pleasure to meet you all. At the outset, I would like to thank Prime Minister Ardern and the Government of New Zealand for their efforts for this meeting. The theme of this meeting is "Promoting Post-epidemic Economic Recovery and Achieving Common Prosperity for the People of Asia-Pacific and Future Generations", which is of great significance.
This year marks the 30th anniversary of China's accession to APEC. These 30 years have been 30 years of Deepening Reform and Expanding Opening-up in China, as well as 30 years of continuous expansion of Asia-Pacific economic cooperation. The Asia-Pacific region has become the region with the most growth vitality and development potential in the world, always located at the forefront of world economic development, and has made positive contributions to world economic growth and the well-being of people in the region.
Last year, on the basis of the initial realization of the Bogor Goals, we adopted the Putrajaya Vision 2040, reaffirmed our original intention to benefit the people of the Asia-Pacific region, and put forward the goal of building an open, vibrant, resilient and peaceful Asia-Pacific community. This year, we have developed a vision implementation plan together. We should promote the implementation of the 2040 vision and build an Asia-Pacific community of common destiny that is open, inclusive, innovative growth, connectivity and win-win cooperation. The focus is on doing the following things well.
First, promote anti-epidemic cooperation and economic recovery. At present, the situation of the new crown pneumonia epidemic is still grim, and the world economy is struggling to recover in fragility. Defeating the epidemic and resuming economic growth at an early date is the most important task for all members of the Asia-Pacific region at present. It is necessary to respond scientifically to the epidemic, deepen international cooperation, promote vaccine research and development, production and equitable distribution, ensure the accessibility and affordability of vaccines in developing countries, and bridge the "immunization gap". China announced that it will strive to provide 2 billion doses of vaccines to the outside world throughout the year, and has provided more than 1.7 billion doses so far, including pro bono donations to more than 110 countries. Not long ago, I put forward the Global Vaccine Cooperation Action Initiative on behalf of China at the 16th G20 Leaders' Summit. China has made it clear that US$3 billion will be provided in the next three years to support developing countries in fighting the epidemic and restoring economic and social development. China welcomes APEC's initiative to promote the flow of critical goods and the safe movement of people, and will continue to provide support to the "Response to the Epidemic and Economic Recovery" sub-fund to help members recover and develop their economies.
Second, build an open Asia-Pacific economy. Openness is the lifeblood of Asia-Pacific cooperation. It is necessary to adhere to open regionalism, take the 2040 vision as the guide, promote regional economic integration, and build a high-level Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific at an early date. It is necessary to practice genuine multilateralism, adhere to dialogue rather than confrontation, inclusiveness without exclusion, integration without decoupling, and firmly safeguard the multilateral trading system with the World Trade Organization as the core. China supports the implementation of APEC's Agenda for Strengthening Structural Reform and the Roadmap for Competitiveness in The Services Sector. We look forward to the entry into force of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership as scheduled next year and have applied to accede to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership.
Third, promote innovative growth and the development of the digital economy. Innovation is an important driving force leading the development of the world. It is necessary to adhere to the general direction of innovation-driven, ignite a new engine of the digital economy, and let the achievements of digital technology benefit more people in the Asia-Pacific region. It is necessary to comprehensively and balance the implementation of APEC's "Roadmap for the Internet and Digital Economy" and build an open, fair, just and non-discriminatory environment for innovation and productivity development. It is necessary to strengthen the construction of digital infrastructure, accelerate digital transformation, strive to bridge the "digital divide", and promote the comprehensive development of the digital economy. China has put forward the initiative to promote connectivity in the digital age, supported the strengthening of international cooperation in the digital economy, and has applied to join the Digital Economy Partnership Agreement.
Fourth, achieve inclusive and sustainable development. It is necessary to adhere to the harmonious coexistence of man and nature, actively respond to climate change, promote green and low-carbon transformation, and strive to build a community of life on the earth. China will strive to achieve carbon peaking by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2060, and support developing countries in developing green and low-carbon energy. China is willing to work with relevant countries to promote high-quality joint construction of the Belt and Road Initiative. It is necessary to fully implement the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and make the development results more and more equitable for all peoples. In September this year, I launched the Global Development Initiative at the United Nations General Assembly, which aims to promote global development to a new stage of balance, coordination and inclusiveness, which is of great significance to promoting sustainable development in the Asia-Pacific region. Economic and technical cooperation is an important area of cooperation of APEC, and we should increase investment to ensure that developing members benefit from it and continue to inject new impetus into the development and prosperity of the Asia-Pacific region.
Dear colleagues!
This year marks the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China. Enabling more than 1.4 billion Chinese people to live a better life and promote human peace and development is the unswerving goal of the Communist Party of China. At present, China has embarked on a new journey of comprehensively building a modern socialist country. China will unswervingly expand its opening up to the outside world and share China's development opportunities with members of the world and the Asia-Pacific region.
There is a Maori proverb in New Zealand: "Success is never about the individual, but on the collective." "China is willing to work with members of the Asia-Pacific region to actively promote the construction of an Asia-Pacific community of common destiny and work together to open a new chapter in Asia-Pacific economic cooperation."
Thank you.