Chinese Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation Shi Guangsheng has described the ministerial meeting of this year's Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum as being "very successful".
He made the remark here Thursday afternoon at a press conference following the conclusion of the APEC ministerial meeting. The minister said APEC has made many concrete achievements in promoting trade and investment liberalization and facilitation as well as economic and technical cooperation, known as the "two wheels of APEC", in the region since its founding.
In the new century, the forum will continue to play an important role in promoting economic development and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region and help its member economies meet new challenges brought about by globalization, he said.
The minister stressed the importance of adhering to the recognized principle of equal consultation and voluntarism in pursuing the goals of APEC.
(People's Daily 10/18/2001)
