Xi Jinping arrives in Philippines for APEC summit

Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Manila on Tuesday to attend the 23rd Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit to be held during November 18 and 19.

During the meeting, Xi will expound China's policy on cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region and the implementation of the consensus reached at last year's APEC meeting in Beijing, Xinhua reported.

Xi is also expected to introduce the progress made in implementing the Belt and Road Initiative and the opportunities the proposal brings to the region and the world.

Xi's presence at the APEC summit shows China's support to the host country and that Beijing attaches great importance to APEC process, said Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

He said that APEC economies reached an important consensus on regional cooperation during 2014 summit held in Beijing.

China hopes this year's summit will continue the momentum and further promote regional economic and trade cooperation.

Themed "Building Inclusive Economies, Building a Better World", this year's meeting will focus on specific subjects such as regional economic integration, small and medium-sized enterprises, human capital development and sustainable growth.

As the top-level and most representative cooperation mechanism that covers a wide range of areas in the Asia-Pacific, the 21-member APEC has played an important role in advancing trade liberalisation and facilitation, promoting economic integration and boosting connectivity.

The Asia-Pacific is vital to global peace and development. It accounts for 40 percent of world population, 48 percent of world trade and 57 percent of global output.