China eyes Asia-Pacific FTA at APEC meeting

BEIJING - The process of launching the Asia-Pacific Free Trade Area (FTA) is expected to start during the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting in Beijing, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Wednesday.

Wang told the tenth Lanting Forum that the APEC member economies could reach important consensus on starting the Asia-Pacific FTA at the meeting and send a clear message on promoting regional economic integration.

With the theme of "Shaping the Future through Asia-Pacific Partnership", a series of APEC meetings will be held from Nov. 5 to 11 in Beijing. The 22nd APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting will be held on Nov. 10 and 11.

Wang said the Asia-Pacific FTA will help to integrate regional bilateral and multilateral cooperation mechanisms and reduce the risk of overlap and fragmentation.

President Xi Jinping and the Chinese government attach great importance to the APEC meeting, Wang said, noting the meeting could also bear results on enhancing Asia-Pacific economic growth and promoting interconnectivity.

The APEC member economies will have in-depth discussion on "five pillars" for future economic growth of the region, including economic reform, new economy, innovative growth, inclusive support and urbanization, according to Wang.

He said a consensus document on APEC economic innovative development, reform and growth could be issued during the meeting and will have a profound impact.

China will also actively promote a "blueprint" for the Asia-Pacific comprehensive interconnectivity in highway, railway, airway and regulation, said the foreign minister.