APEC Beijing summit 'historic': Chinese FM

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Thursday said the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Beijing was productive and historic.

"The summit strived to tackle difficult issues in Asia-Pacific relations and in APEC's development. A string of crucial achievements have been made in a great number of areas," Wang told a press briefing on Thursday.

Wang's comments came after APEC leaders concluded their annual meeting on Tuesday, agreeing on economic integration, innovation and connectivity.

The meeting adopted two important documents: "The 22nd APEC Economic Leaders' Declaration: Beijing Agenda for an Integrated, Innovative and Interconnected Asia-Pacific" and the "Statement on the 25th Anniversary of APEC: Shaping the Future through Asia-Pacific Partnership".

"The meeting made clear the direction and objectives for future Asia-Pacific cooperation," Wang said.

APEC members agreed to start a joint strategic study on the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP), marking the official launch of the FTAAP process.

"This decision will be written into the history books. It shows how the Chinese mindset of integration and culture of harmony worked to resolve diplomatic difficulties," Wang said.

APEC leaders adopted a blueprint to promote regional connectivity by 2025, which Wang said enabled the Asia-Pacific region to seek the cutting edge in global competition.

Wang said the summit had ushered in new areas of cooperation on global issues, citing a joint statement on anti-corruption cooperation.

Chinese President Xi Jinping announced China would contribute 40 billion U.S. dollars to set up a Silk Road Fund at a dialogue meeting on strengthening connectivity and improving cooperation in the country's neighborhood, Wang said.

The summit promoted China's bilateral relations with major countries in the Asia-Pacific region, citing Xi's meetings with U.S. President Barack Obama and Russian President Vladimir Putin, among others.

Wang highlighted the conclusion of substantive negotiations on a bilateral free trade agreement (FTA) between China and the Republic of Korea, saying it would benefit the two countries and the region.

"The APEC Beijing summit was not the end, but rather a new starting point," Wang said, stressing that Beijing APEC was significant and would have a long-term impact.

Wang pledged China would continue to demonstrate the "China voice," come up with "China solutions" and contribute "China wisdom."

"We will make efforts to turn Chinese opportunities into world opportunities and turn world opportunities into China's," Wang said.