Xi to chair meetings, events at upcoming APEC meeting

Chinese President Xi Jinping will chair and participate in a series of important meetings next month as leaders or representatives of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) members gather for a closely-watched meeting in Beijing, Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Wednesday.

Xi will chair the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting slated for Nov. 10 and 11 which is themed "Shaping the Future through Asia-Pacific Partnership," Wang told reporters and foreign diplomats at a forum held by the foreign ministry.

The Chinese President is expected to revisit past development of the 25-year-old APEC, and set forth China's positions on the building of an open economic pattern in the Asia-Pacific and on the joint building of Asia-Pacific partnerships, Wang added.

In addition, Xi will address the APEC CEO Summit on Nov. 9 where he will expand on China's positions on regional cooperation in the Asia-Pacific and the outlook of the Chinese economy, the foreign minister said.

He will also introduce to business leaders at the summit the progress China has made in its current drive to deepen reforms as well as opportunities brought forth by China's reform and development for the world and the Asia-Pacific region in particular.

On Nov. 10, Xi will chair the APEC Business Advisory Council Dialogue with Leaders and answer questions at the meeting, Wang said, adding that the president will take his wife Peng Liyuan to a welcoming banquet held later the same day for other leaders and representatives of APEC members and their spouses.

Apart from the above-mentioned meetings, bilateral meetings between Xi and some APEC members' leaders attending the Beijing meeting have also been scheduled, Wang said, adding that the leaders will together take part in tree planting during the event.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang will also meet some APEC members' leaders during the meeting, Wang said.

The 21 APEC members, including the United States, China, Japan and Russia, account for over half of the world's economic output, 40 percent of the world's population, and 46 percent of total global trade.