China calls for joint efforts for Asia-Pacific development

BEIJING - China will work for the establishment of closer partnership between Asia-Pacific economies and expects concerted efforts to achieve long-lasting development of the region, said State Councilor Yang Jiechi on Saturday.

Yang made the comments at the 21st Century Council conference held in Beijing on Saturday and Sunday.

Yang said China will host the 2014 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) leaders' meeting in Beijing and the country is preparing for the meeting in a positive and pragmatic manner.

China is striving to keep continuity of relevant topics and attend problems facing the region and cooperation requirements, Yang said, adding China will continue efforts to facilitate integration of the regional economy, infrastructure building and connectivity, and promote the adjustment of economic structure and transformation of the development mode for Asia-Pacific economies.

He called on Asia-Pacific economies to seize development opportunities and establish closer partnership to help boost long-lasting development of the region.

APEC, which also includes the United States, groups together 21 member economies around the Pacific Rim that account for over half of the world's economic output.

The Beijing summit will be the second APEC leaders' meeting held in China following the one in Shanghai in 2001. The meeting will take place in autumn next year.

China expects joint efforts with other APEC members to promote the Beijing summit to produce substantive results, Yang said.