Chinese president urges APEC members to conduct policy dialogue on energy

Chinese President Hu Jintao on Sunday proposed that the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation step up efforts in the energy field, conduct policy dialogue and deepen cooperation among members in improving energy efficiency, developing alternative sources of energy and providing affordable energy products to the poor.

Hu made the proposal when speaking at Retreat II of the 12th Economic Leaders' Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) in the Chilean capital. He expounded China's stance on Asia-Pacific regional cooperation and APEC's future development in his speech.

The two-day APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting kicked off Saturday amid tight security under the theme of "One Community, Our Future".

The Chinese president arrived at Chile's presidential palace at 09:20 a.m. (local time) and was greeted by Chilean President Ricardo Lagos.

The APEC economic leaders later stood in front of a fountain, wearing traditional Chilean "Chamantos" , posing for a group photograph.

The "chamanto" is a decorative, reversible -a light and a dark side - poncho woven in silk thread and wool, its entire contour finished with ribbon edging.

The APEC economic leaders are expected to issue Santiago Declaration after the conclusion of the two-day meeting on Sunday afternoon.

The 13th APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting will be held in Busan, South Korea on Nov. 18-19, 2005.

In his speech, the Chinese president also urged the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) member economies to adopt effective measures to maintain the good momentum of global and regional economic growth.

The APEC members need to adopt proactive and effective macroeconomic policies and regulatory measures in light of their respective conditions, increase dialogue and coordination, deepen regional cooperation and make joint efforts to facilitate and maintain world economic growth, said the Chinese president.

"We should work hard, with sincerity and flexibility, to bring about substantive results of the new round of WTO negotiations at an early date, cut back on our differences and frictions, and create an equitable and win-win environment for trade and investment," Hu said.

As a developing country, China will strive to keep sustained, fast, coordinated and healthy development of economic growth, and contribute to the Asia-Pacific and world economy, the Chinese president pledged.

The Chinese president arrived here Thursday for a state visit to Chile and attending the 12th APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting.

The APEC was set up in 1989 in response to the growing interdependence among Asia-Pacific economies and to the need to advance Asia-Pacific economic dynamism and sense of community.

It now groups Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, China, Chinese Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, the Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Chinese Taipei, Thailand, the United States and Vietnam.

The organization accounts for more than a third of the world's population with about 2.6 billion people, nearly 60 percent of the world GDP with about 19 trillion US dollars and about 47 percent of world trade. It also represents the most economically dynamic region in the world generating nearly 70 percent of global economic growth during the last 10 years.