Framework for openness and cooperation

For too long, the leaders of major economies have not spoken with one voice in support of free trade and climate actions. The 31st APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Lima, Peru, has changed that.

As shown by the Lima meetings' outcome documents — a statement of the APEC leaders, the "Lima Roadmap to Promote the Transition to the Formal and Global Economies (2025-40)", and the "Ichma Statement on a New Look at the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific Agenda" — the leaders have taken advantage of the invaluable opportunities for face-to-face talks to focus on issues of common interest under the theme of "Empower, Include, Grow".

Among the multiple important bilateral meetings held on the sidelines of the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting on Saturday were those between President Xi Jinping and the leaders of the United States, Japan, the Republic of Korea, New Zealand, Thailand, Chile and Singapore respectively. In the meetings, the leaders not only unanimously acknowledged China's important role as a world growth engine and a key player in the Asia-Pacific and beyond, but also expressed their common wish to maintain the development of their economic and trade ties with China on a healthy track believing it serves the common interests of the region and the world.