China's Participation in APEC's Important Activities

APEC Activities Sponsored by and Held in China

China's Participation in APEC's Important Activities　Top

Since the participation in APEC in 1991, China has fully taken part in various APEC activities in the spirit of cooperation and played an active role in the cooperation of APEC in recent years.

I. China's Participation in APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting (AELM)

In the past 7 years, Chinese President Jiang Zemin has himself taken part in each APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting and issued important speeches. He elaborated China's initiatives, principles and positions on the economic cooperation and the development of APEC, making profound contributions to the healthy development of APEC.

1. Seattle Meeting

In November 1993, President Jiang took part in the first APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting and raised the important question "What kind of a world are we going to usher into the 21st century?"

During the meeting, President Jiang made important speeches on the three agenda items of the vision for the Asia-Pacific region, priorities for regional economic cooperation, means and mechanisms for regional economic cooperation. President Jiang pointed out that the world was approaching the 21st century. "What kind of a world are we going to usher into the 21st century?" is a very important question that our current leaders should ponder and answer. He said that it would be a good thing to have genuine peace and prosperity for mankind after joint efforts. The leaders would not be able to account for it to the world people if the world continued to be chaotic, insecure and plagued by economic troubles at the turn of this century. President Jiang also raised the guiding principles for regional economic cooperation: mutual respect, equality and mutual interest, opening to each other and common prosperity.

2. Bogor Meeting

During Bogor Meeting, President Jiang elaborated the 5 principles on the economic cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region and put forward the initiative that Meeting of Ministers responsible for scientific and technological cooperation should be convened.

President Jiang made two speeches. In his keynote speech, he elaborated China's opinions on the international situation, economic situation and cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region. Taking the diversity and mutual interdependence in this region into account, President Jiang put forward the 5 principles on the future economic development of the Asia-Pacific region. The 5 principles are:

(1) mutual respect and consensus;
(2) gradual progress in an orderly and steady manner;
(3) mutual opening without exclusion;
(4) extensive cooperation, mutual benefit and reciprocity;
(5) narrow the gap and achieve common prosperity.

Concerning trade and investment liberalization, President Jiang pointed out clearly that China was in favor of trade and investment liberalization as a long-term goal and the formulation of an appropriate timetable for implementation. China also agreed that the meeting reach agreements of intent on these issues. He stated that trade liberalization should be based on the principle of non-discrimination and should accommodate the diverseness in the Asia-Pacific region. APEC members should proceed in a gradual, orderly and phased manner. On issues like scientific and technical cooperation as well as human resources development and the construction of infrastructure, President Jiang also posed his thinking and concrete proposals which included an initiative that one APEC Meeting of Ministers responsible for scientific and technological cooperation convened in Beijing.

3. Osaka Meeting

During Osaka Meeting in 1995, President reiterated China' s basic stand about carrying out regional economic cooperation and made public China's decision to reduce its overall tariff level from 1996.

In his speech, President Jiang stated that the importance of the revitalization of developing countries to the prosperity of the Asia-Pacific region and the whole world should be recognized from the point of historical view. He pointed out that if the political resurgence of the developing countries can be viewed as a major feature of the international evolution in the second half of the 20th century, then their economic revitalization would be a key hallmark of the new world pattern in the 21st century.

Taking the new situation and the diverseness of the Asia and the Pacific region into account, President Jiang pointed out that APEC should be developed into a economic cooperation organization with distinct characteristics of the Asia-Pacific region. He also elaborated China's 5 basic positions:

(1) Achieving a sustainable economic development in the Asia-Pacific region and the world at large should be the fundamental objective of the cooperation;

(2) Efforts should be made to create a favorable external environment for economic growth of the developing members;

(3) The principles of unilaterism and voluntarism should be adhered to;

(4) It is necessary to give due consideration to existing differences and to keep the process of trade and investment liberalization at a carefully-measured speed;

(5) Trade and investment liberalization and economic and technical cooperation should be given equal emphasis.

4. Subic Meeting

In 1996, President Jiang expounded profoundly and comprehensively on Economic and Technical Cooperation at the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Subic, and put forward for the first time the "APEC approach" guiding APEC cooperation. President Jiang also announced that China would try to reduce its average import tariff rate to around 15% by year 2000.

President Jiang emphasized in his speech that economic and technical cooperation and trade and investment liberation are of equal importance. Without a fruitful economic and technical cooperation, trade and investment liberation can not make much headway. In both principles and practices, APEC economic and technical cooperation is quite different from development aid in the traditional sense. This cooperation is reciprocal, based on equality, mutual benefit and complementarity. Its basic objective is to turn diversity into complementarity in the economic development of all members, so as to achieve common prosperity. President Jiang pointed out that in order to ensure an effective economic and technical cooperation, it is necessary to set a focus, namely, to define certain priority areas. He proposed that a science and technology industrial parks network be set up within APEC in order to accelerate the momentum of integration of science and technology with the economy. President Jiang also proposed that China is ready to open an environmental protection center in Beijing with advanced equipment to APEC members.

President Jiang emphatically pointed out that since its establishment, APEC has gradually come up with unique way of cooperation. This has come to be known as the "APEC approach". It has such features as recognition of diversity; emphasis on flexibility, gradual progress and openness; adherence to mutual respect, equality, mutual benefit, consensus and voluntarity; and combination of individual and collective actions. Guided by the collectively defined common objectives, APEC members are free to make their respective efforts in light of their own
circumstances. APEC practice has shown that this approach is viable and effective and should be maintained. Departure from this approach will bring APEC difficulties hard to overcome.

5. Vancouver Meeting

At the 1997 Vancouver Meeting, President Jiang Zemin reiterated "APEC Approach". He urged developed members to fully open their market for technology trade and speed up the transfer of technology to developing members. He proposed that APEC adopt an Agenda for Science and Technology Industry Cooperation into the 21 Century. President Jiang also expounded China's basic position on the East Asian financial crisis and announced that China decided to accede to the Information Technology Agreement and lower its average tariff to industrial products to 10% by 2005.

On "APEC approach", President Jiang pointed out that APEC has its own basic features in its approach, that is giving full consideration to the diversity of its members and acknowledging their divergence in the level and stage of development as well as the consequent differing interests and needs; laying emphasis on flexibility, step-by -step progress and openness; adhering to such principles as equality and mutual benefit, consensus, seeking common ground while putting aside differences as well as voluntarism; and combining individual with collective actions. Practice has proved that the APEC Approach, which responds to the reality in the region, is conducive to achieving a balance of rights, interests and needs of various members. It will also help its member economies to give full play to their capability for common development. Adherence to this approach affords an important guarantee for strengthened cooperation among APEC members.
As to economic and technical cooperation, President Jiang pointed out that economic and technical cooperation and trade and investment liberalization are closely linked and should support each other. Science and technology cooperation should be the important content and priority area for APEC cooperation. He expounded views on fully opening the market for technology trade, encourage and speed up the transfer of hi-technologies and other latest technologies to all members and developing members in particular, and rationalize the intellectual property rights regime. He also proposed that APEC adopt an Agenda for Science and Technology Industry Cooperation into the 21st Century, which was highly valued and was fully reflected in the Vancouver Declaration.

As to financial instability in Southeast Asia , President Jiang stressed that normal and safe operation of the financial system is crucial to the overall economic stability and development. He emphasized that to maintain a normal financial order and ward off financial risks, we should not only formulate correct economic development strategies and preserve a rational economic structure, but also improve the financial system through strengthened financial supervision and regulation. Meanwhile, we should decline financial policies in light of our specific conditions. We should enhance regional and international financial cooperation, jointly restrain and ward off the impact of excessive speculation of hot money in the world. China is ready to participate in discussions on strengthening financial cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region.

During the meeting, President Jiang delivered speeches at the banquet held by Vancouver for the representatives of APEC members and APEC CEO Summit special prolonged meeting respectively. He briefed on China's domestic economic situation and relevant policies and expounded China's stand on the issue of developing cooperation between enterprises within APEC members.

6. Kuala Lumpur Meeting

During the Kuala Lumpur Meeting in 1998, President Jiang pointed out that the Asian financial crisis came out of the accelerated development of the globalization, which was bringing development opportunities as well as grim challenge and risks. He brought forward his opinions on promoting the steady development of the international financial system and giving impetus to the establishment of a new international financial order: strengthen international cooperation and prevent the crisis from spreading; reform and improve the international financial system, secure safe and orderly operation of the international financial market; respect the choice of relevant countries to overcome the crisis. Concerning economic and technical cooperation, President Jiang praised the formulation of APEC Agenda on Science and Technology Industry Cooperation into the 21st century under the leadership of Malaysia. He announced that China would provide 10 million US dollars to set up "China APEC Fund on Scientific and Industrial Cooperation" to finance the cooperation between China and other APEC members in the field of science and technology, etc. As to trade and investment liberalization, President Jiang emphasized that APEC members should be allowed to realize the Bogor goals on the basis of self-determination, voluntarism, flexibility and adopting a pragmatic approach according to the Bogor timetable. APEC members should be allowed to adjust their speed and means according to their own characteristics in an active and steady way.

On science and technology cooperation and human resources development, President Jiang pointed out that science and technology are the primary productive forces, and human beings the most valuable resources. He emphasized the following: to carry out science and technology industry cooperation to help enterprises enhance their innovation capability; to increase the financial regulatory and supervisory capability to ward off any risks that might come with the globalization of the international financial market; to provide reemployment training and promote coordinated social and economic progress.

At the dialogue between APEC leaders and the representatives of APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC), President Jiang appreciated the efforts made by the business community to promote the APEC process. He pointed out that enterprises are the basic units for economic activities and carriers of capital and technology. Without participation of enterprises, economic and technical cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region would not develop dynamically.

7. Auckland Meeting

President Jiang Zemin delivered an important speech at the meeting. He stressed that keeping its nature as an economic forum, maintaining its unique "APEC approach" and attaching importance to economic and technical cooperation is the important experience of APEC to maintain vitality and make achievements. President Jiang put forward important proposals on the development direction of APEC and the focus of cooperation. He stressed that APEC should: actively promote common economic prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region; deepen regional economic and technical cooperation so as to lay a solid foundation for medium and long-term development of the Asia-Pacific; actively and steadily push forward the process of trade and investment liberalization and promote a sound development of the multilateral trading system; actively strengthen the cooperation in the international financial field and promote the establishment of a new, fair, and rational international financial order; firmly adhere to the right development direction of APEC and maintain the vigour and vitality of the organization; actively press ahead with the mutually beneficial cooperation among APEC members.

President Jiang also delivered a speech on APEC CEO Summit. He briefed on the economic development and the efforts made by China to maintain stability and development of the region. He also expressed that Chinese government will continue to encourage and support its enterprises to participate in APEC cooperation and to meet the challenge of globalization.

The above speeches of President Jiang summarized APEC' course of development and pointed out its future development directions. Meanwhile, the speeches reiterated to the international society the confidence and determination of Chinese government to adhere to the policy of reform and opening up and to actively participate in various APEC activities. The speeches drew attentions of the participants and contributed to the success of the meeting and the development of Asia-Pacific economic cooperation.

II. China's Participation in APEC Ministerial Meetings

On November 12-14, 1991, attended the 3rd APEC Ministerial Meeting in Seoul, Korea, led by Qian Qichen, State Councilor and Foreign Minister, and Li Lanqing, Minister of Foreign Economic Relations and Trade.

On September 10-11, 1992, attended the 4th APEC Ministerial Meeting in Bangkok, Thailand, led by Qian Qichen, State Councilor and Foreign Minister, and Li Lanqing, Minister of Foreign Economic Relations and Trade.

On November 17-19, 1993, attended the 5th APEC Ministerial Meeting in Seattle, USA, led by Qian Qichen, Vice Premier and Foreign Minister, and Wu Yi, Minister of Foreign Economic Relations and Trade.

On November 11-12, 1994, attended the 6th APEC Ministerial Meeting in Jakarta, Indonesia, led by Qian Qichen, Vice Premier and Foreign Minister, and Wu Yi, Minister of Foreign Economic Relations and Trade.

On November 16-17, 1995, attended the 7th APEC Ministerial Meeting in Osaka, Japan, led by Qian Qichen, Vice Premier and Foreign Minister, and Wu Yi, Minister of Foreign Economic Relations and Trade.

On November 22-23, 1996, attended the 8th APEC Ministerial Meeting in Manila, the Philippines, led by Qian Qichen, Vice Premier and Foreign Minister, and Wu Yi, Minister of Foreign Economic Relations and Trade.

On November 21-22, 1997, attended the 9th APEC Ministerial Meeting in Vancouver, Canada, led by Qian Qichen, Vice Premier and Foreign Minister, and Wu Yi, Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation.

On November 14-15, 1998, attended the 10th APEC Ministerial Meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, led by Tang Jiaxuan , Foreign Minister, and Shi Guangshen, Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation.
On September 9-10, 1999, attended the 11th APEC Ministerial Meeting in Auckland, New Zealand, led by Tang Jiaxuan , Foreign Minister, and Shi Guangshen, Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation.

III. China's Participation in APEC Sectoral Ministerial Meetings

1992
Education Ministers Meeting, led by Teng Teng, Vice Chairman of State Education Commission.

1994
Finance Ministers Meeting, by Liu Zhongli， Minister of Finance.
Environment Ministers Meeting, by Xie Zhenhua, Administrator of National Environment Protection Administration.
Trade Ministers Meeting, by Wu Yi, Minister of Foreign Economic Relations and Trade.
SMEs Ministers Meeting, by Wang Zhongyu, Chairman of State Economic &Trade Commission.

1995
Industrial Science and Technology Ministers Meeting, by Song Jian, State Councilor and Chairman of State Science and Technology Commission.
Finance Ministers Meeting, by Liu Zhongli， Minister of Finance.
Telecommunication Ministers Meeting, by Wu Jichuan, Minister of Post & Telecommunication.
Transportation Ministers Meeting, by Huang Zhendong, Minister of Communication.
SMEs Ministers Meeting, by Wang Zhongyu, Chairman of State Economic &Trade Commission.

1996
Industrial Science and Technology Ministers Meeting, by Song Jian, State Councilor and Chairman of State Science and Technology Commission.
Trade Ministers Meeting, by Wu Yi, Minister of Foreign Economic Relations and Trade.
Finance Ministers Meeting, by Liu Zhongli， Minister of Finance.
Environment Ministers Meeting, by Ye Ruqiu, Vice Administrator of National Environment Protection Administration.
HRD Ministers Meeting, by Xu Songtao, Vice Minister of Personnel.
Energy Ministers Meeting, by Ye Qing, Vice Chairman of State Planning Commission.
SMEs Ministers Meeting, by Chen Qingtai, Vice Chairman of State Economic &Trade Commission.
Telecommunication Ministers Meeting, by Wu Jichuan, Minister of Post & Telecommunication.

1997
Finance Ministers Meeting, by Liu Zhongli， Minister of Finance.
Trade Ministers Meeting, by Long Yongtu, Chief Representative for Trade Negotiation of Ministry of Foreign Economic Relations and Trade.
Environment Ministers Meeting, by Xie Zhenhua, Administrator of National Environment Protection Administration.
Transportation Ministers Meeting, by Liu Songjin, Vice Minister of Communication.
Energy Ministers Meeting, by Yeqing, Vice Chairman of State Planning Commission.
SMEs Ministers Meeting, by Chen Qingtai, Vice Chairman of State Economic &Trade Commission.
HRD Ministers Meeting, by Zhang Bolin, Vice Minister of Personnel.

1998
Finance Ministers Meeting, by Xiang Huaichen， Minister of Finance.

APEC Activities Sponsored by and Held in China　Top

1993
Trade Promotion Working Group: Seminar on Promoting the Expansion of Export of SMEs (7-10 June, Shenzhen)

1994
The Industrial Science and Technology Working Group: the 6th Working Group Meeting, the Seminar on Development Strategy of Science and Technology Park in Asia Pacific Region,, the 2nd Special Meeting of Industrial Science and Technology (23-26 May, Beijing)
Trade Promotion Working Group: the 3rd Training Course of Trade Promotion, the 4th Seminar on Trade Promotion (6-8 June, Beijing)

1995
Industrial Science and Technology Ministers Meeting ( 5－6 October, Beijing )
The 6th Fisheries Working Group Meeting (13-15 June, Beijing)
The 7th Transportation Working Group Meeting (25-28 April, Beijing)
The 7th Marine Resources Conservation Working Group Meeting (29-31 May, Qingdao)
The 12th Human Resources Development Working Group Meeting (30 May-2 June, Beijing)
The 10th Energy Working Group Meeting (9-12 May, Beijing)
The 7th Trade Promotion Working Group Meeting (4-7 June, Beijing)
The 12th Telecommunication Working Group Meeting (5-8 September, Shanghai)
Energy Working Group: the 2nd Coal Flow Seminar (5-6 December, Shanghai)

1996
The 8th Tourism Working Group Meeting (7-10 May, Beijing)
Trade and Investment Data Working Group Meeting and Seminar (27-31 May, Shanghai)
Energy Working Group: APEC Energy R&D and Technology Transfer and Renewable Energy Resources Assessment Seminar (5-9 February, Beijing)
Industrial Science and Technology Working Group: the Seminar on Technology and 21st Century Economy (25-26 June, Beijing)
Sub Committee on Customs Procedures: APEC Customs Risk Management Seminar (3-5 September, Hangzhou)
Energy Working Group: Expert Group Meeting on Clean Energy (5-16 August, Beijing)
Energy Working Group: the 1ST Clean Coal Technology Symbosium (7-11 October, Xiaman)
Trade Promotion Working Group: Seminar on Anti-Dumping (16-18 December, Hainan)

1997
Human Resources Development Working Group: Seminar on School Based Performance Indicators (13-16 April, Guilin)
Human Resources Development Working Group: the 1st Training Course on the Program of Insurance of Trade and Investment (2-13 June, Beijing)
Human Resources Development Working Group: the 2nd Training Course on the Program of Insurance of Trade and Investment ( 21-30 October, Xiaman)
Human Resources Development Working Group: Seminar on the Conclusion of the Program on Development of Infrastructure Industry and HRD (25-27 June, Huangshan)
Trade Promotion Working Group: the 2nd Trade Fair (6-10 June, Yantai)
Trade Promotion Working Group: Seminar on Government Procurement (15-18 July, Yantai)
Trade Promotion Working Group: Seminar on the Sustainable City Environment and Economy Policy (18-20 September, Beijing)
Telecommunication Working Group: '97 APEC Tel HRD Symposium (11-13 August, Beijing)
Industrial Science and Technology Working Group: the Inaugural Meeting of APEC Network of S & T Industrial Parks (15-17 September, Beijing)
Energy working Group: the 4th Coal Mine Gas Sub Group Meeting (18-19 September, Beijing)

1998
Sub Committee of Customs Procedure: APEC Overview Seminar on Kyoto Convention (20-24 April, Suzhou)
Committee of Trade and Investment: Training Course on Service Trade (4-8 May, Qingdao)
'98 APEC Economic Outlook Symbosium (16-17 May, Xiaman)
Committee of Trade and Investment: APEC Training Program on Statistical Reporting and Data Collection (6-10 July, Xiaman)
Economic Committee: Workshop on Information Collection of Trade and Environment Measures (22-24 July, Beijing)
Policy Level Group on SMEs: Seminar of the Project of Research for Operating Environment of SMEs (July, Jiujing)
Human Resources Working Group: The 2nd SMEs Technology Exchange and Fair (8-10 October, Yantai)
Energy Working Group: Liaison Meeting of Sustainable Community Energy (8-10 October, Beijng)
Energy Working Group: the 10th APEC Inter-Utility DSM Liaison Group Meeting (18-20 October, Wuxi)
Committee of Trade and Investment: Seminar on Food Labelling Laws, (24-25 November, Beijing)

1999
Sub Committee of Customs Procedure: APEC Regional Advisory Mission on Temporary Importation (22-26 March, Beijing)
Human Resource Development Working Group: 2nd Training Course on the Program of Insurance of Trade and Investment ( 7-17 April, Beijing)
Trade Promotion Working Group: Workshop on APEC Government Procurement Practices(14-8 May, Kunming)
Committee of Trade and Investment: APEC UR Implementation Seminar on WTO New Agreements (24-26 May, Tianjin)
Economic Committee: Dissemination Seminar on Survey on Trade Related Environmental Measures and Environment Related Measures in APEC (29-30 June, Hangzhou)
Marine Resources Conservation Working Group: the 2nd APEC OMISAR Workshop on Ocean Models (25-29 October, Beijing)