Hu to take 'peaceful rise' diplomacy to APEC
(AFP)
Updated: 2005-11-14 11:34

Chinese President Hu Jintao will be aiming to portray China's growing regional and global strength as a "peaceful rise" at the upcoming APEC summit, officials and analysts said.

During the two-day Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) leaders' forum in South Korea starting on Friday, Hu will pledge China's constructive contribution on issues such as trade, North Korea and fighting terrorism, they said.

Chinese President Hu Jintao (L) waves as he walks with Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos upon his arrival at Madrid, November 13, 2005. Hu arrived on Sunday for a two-day state visit to Spain. [Reuters]

"President Hu will exchange ideas about further promoting balanced, stable and sustained growth of the global economy and China's priorities for APEC," China's Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing told journalists.

"We hope that this meeting will achieve progress in supporting the healthy development of the multilateral trading regime ... while also addressing the question of high oil prices, bird flu and natural disasters."

Hu arrives in South Korea on Wednesday for an official state visit before attending the APEC summit in the city of Busan.

A series of bilateral meetings with APEC leaders are being arranged during the summit, officials said.

Hu is currently on a tour of Europe. Before that he was in Vietnam and North Korea. At each stop he has attempted to emphasise his nation's peaceful rise as an economic and global power.

"China's development will be peaceful, open and cooperative," Hu said in London last week.