MANILA - Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday urged relative parties to speed up the construction of the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP) and promote regional economic integration.
He made the appeal in Manila at an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) CEO meeting, while noting that the constant emergence of new regional free trade deals has given rise to worries about fragmentation.
Xi suggested that the openness and inclusiveness of free trade arrangements be strengthened to the greatest extent on the basis of equal participation and ample consultation.
The Asia-Pacific region has adhered to opening-up, integration and development for many years, and has come out with a unique and vibrant way for regional economic cooperation, he noted.
Recalling that APEC leaders made a historic step in 2014 in Beijing by launching the FTAAP process, he called for concerted efforts to boost the openness of the Asia-Pacific economy and safeguard multilateral trade systems.
"We need to devote ourselves to win-win cooperation, resist protectionism and facilitate fair competition," added the president.
The Chinese leader arrived in Manila on Tuesday noon to attend the 23rd APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday.
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