Special Report: Hu Jintao visits 4 Asian nations, attends APEC Meeting

Chinese President Hu Jintao said on Friday that China's development is of great importance to peace and development in the Asia-Pacific region and the world as well.

In a speech delivered at the APEC CEO Summit in Hanoi, Hu briefed participants on China's scientific outlook on development, which puts people first and aims at comprehensive, coordinated ands ustainable development.

Hu said China's sustained and rapid economic growth has promoted the development of the regional economy and the global economy.

In the five years since its accession to the World Trade Organization in 2001, China's import has totaled 2.4 trillion U.S. dollars, and foreign investors in China repatriated 58 billion dollars in profit, Hu said.

Statistics of the World Bank show that in this period, China on the average contributed to 13 percent of the world economic growth, he added.

China's sustained and rapid economic growth has injected vitality into both the Asia-Pacific economy and global economy, and created good opportunities for business communities in different countries and regions, the Chinese president said.

In the future, China will participate in international economic cooperation in more areas, on a larger scale and at a higher level, Hu pledged, adding that China will also continue to advance regional economic cooperation and FTA negotiations, and provide assistance and support to other developing countries to the best of its ability.

The Chinese president is in Hanoi on a state visit to Vietnam. During his stay here, Hu will also attend the 14th economic leaders' informal meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum slated for Saturday and Sunday.

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APEC CEO summit kicks off in Hanoi

Over 1,100 representatives from leading multi-national corporations of the Asia-Pacific region gathered in Hanoi Friday, kicking off the two-day Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum's CEO Summit.

The summit is considered the biggest event of the business community of the region in 2006.

The event, annually organized along with the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting since 1996, has become an important forum for leaders, businessmen, policy makers and researchers to share experiences and propose suggestions and solutions for strengthening economic cooperation within the region and between the APEC member economies with the rest of the world. Full story