Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan met with five counterparts from members of the Asia- Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Tuesday, who are here to attend this year's APEC ministerial meeting.
The five guests are: Han Seung-soo, foreign and trade minister of the Republic of Korea, Teofisto Guingona Jr., vice-president and secretary of foreign affairs of the Philippines, Philip Bruce Goff, minister of foreign affairs, trade and justice of New Zealand, Surakiat Sathirathai, minister of foreign affairs of Thailand, and Nguyen Dy Nien, minister of foreign affairs of Vietnam.
Tang said by hosting APEC 2001 meetings, China hopes to push forward the APEC process so that all APEC member economies can better cope with the economic globalization.
He said China hopes that the APEC meetings in Shanghai will promote regional economic cooperation and contribute to world economic growth, especially in face of new challenges.
Tang also exchanged views with the ministers on bilateral ties, cooperation in fighting terrorism, the Middle East issue and other international and regional issues.
The impact of the "September 11 incident" on the world economy cannot be underestimated, and all Asia-Pacific economies have been affected to some extent, said Tang.
Tang called for giving full play to the roles of the APEC and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) plus three, China, Japan and the Republic of Korea, so as to enhance regional economic cooperation and better cope with new challenges.
(Xinhua News Agency 10/16/2001)
