APEC 2014 key to Asia-Pacific economic cooperation

China's Commerce Ministry spokesman Shen Danyang said on Tuesday that this year's meeting of the Asia-Pacific Cooperation "has a special mission and very great significance for the orientation of the Asia-Pacific economic cooperation".

2014 marks the 25th anniversary of APEC and China will host the forum again after 13 years.

Throughout the forum, China will especially advance multilateral trade mechanisms, fight against trade protectionism, boost regional economic integration, promote global collaboration of value chains and supply chains and strengthen economic and technologic cooperation, Shen said.

The Ministers Responsible for Trade Meeting will be held in Qingdao, Shandong province, from May 17 to 18, as an important preparation for the leaders' meeting at the end of the year, Shen said.

China's proposed APEC theme for 2014 is "Shaping the Future through Asia-Pacific Partnership". APEC will prioritize advancing regional economic integration as its first priority. The second priority will be to promote innovative development, economic reform and growth. Strengthening comprehensive connectivity and infrastructure development will be the third priority.