Hu urges trade liberalization at APEC meeting
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Proposal for promoting growth in Asia-Pacific
During the meeting, the APEC leaders discussed a growth strategy for the Asia-Pacific region, and human security, which includes food security, infectious diseases, counter-terrorism, anti-corruption and disaster preparedness.
In his speech, Hu put forward a proposal for promoting sound and fast economic growth in the Asia-Pacific region.
In the five-point proposal, Hu firstly called on the APEC economies to promote balanced growth to facilitate long-term economic development.
They should seek balanced growth both within a member economy and among all member economies, he said.
"We should increase input to help developing members achieve their full potential and narrow the North-South gap," Hu said.
He called on APEC members to move toward a more rational division of labor, a more balanced financial and trade structure, more efficient allocation of resources and more equitable sharing of benefits.
Secondly, Hu said the APEC members should advocate inclusive growth to boost the internal dynamism of economic development.
"The aim is to get people involved in development, protect their interests and enable them to benefit from development," he said.
Thirdly, Hu called on the APEC members to bolster sustainable growth.
He proposed that China hold the first APEC Forestry Ministerial Meeting to advance region-wide cooperation on forestry. He also called for closer cooperation on the APEC Low-Carbon Model Town Project.
Fourthly, Hu said it was necessary to encourage innovative growth.
The president asked the APEC members to facilitate the cultivation and movement of innovative and high-skilled people, who could provide strong human capital and scientific and technological support for economic development, and promote a shift toward innovation-driven growth.
"Developed members of APEC should scale up technology transfer and help developing members build capacity for innovative growth," Hu said.
Fifthly, Hu said APEC members should work to ensure secure growth to protect the results of economic development, calling for furthering exchanges and cooperation in counter-terrorism, disaster prevention and reduction, food security, energy and resources security and public health.
Hu arrived here Friday for the two-day APEC forum. The theme for this year's meeting is "Change and Action."
