China wants to create more opportunities for Asia-Pacific partners, Foreign Ministry says

As unilateralism and protectionism are on the rise posing challenges to globalization, China has championed upholding true multilateralism and open regionalism to bring about more opportunities to its partners in the Asia-Pacific.

With the 31st APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Lima approaching, Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said on Wednesday that China will create more opportunities for its Asia-Pacific partners with its high-quality development and high-level openness.

China also stays committed to making concerted efforts with all parties to build an Asia-Pacific community with a shared future featuring openness, inclusiveness, innovative growth, connectivity and win-win cooperation, he told a daily news briefing.

Lin highlighted China’s role in the Asia-Pacific regional cooperation, saying China is the driving force and propeller of the cooperation in the region.

According to Lin, China is the largest trading partner of the 13 APEC economies, contributing 64.2 percent to the region's economic growth and driving 37.6 percent growth in goods trade and 44.6 percent growth in services trade in the region.

Beijing is also an active promoter of open cooperation in the Asia-Pacific, he said, adding that China has facilitated the establishment of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area and promoted the high-quality implementation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership and the Belt and Road cooperation.

Calling the Asia-Pacific an important engine driving the global economy, Lin said its population accounts for one-third of the world, its economy contributes over 60 percent to global economy, and its trade makes up nearly half in the world.

"It is because countries in the region follow the trend of peaceful development, oppose bloc confrontation and zero-sum games that the Asia-Pacific can create the remarkable 'Asia-Pacific Miracle' and become an anchor of global development and stability," Lin said, calling on all parties to cherish the hard-won achievement.

According to the International Monetary Fund, economic growth rate in the Asia-Pacific is expected to reach 4.2 percent in 2024, far exceeding that of global economic growth 2.9 percent.