Vice premier calls for increasing cooperation for common prosperity in Asia-Pacific

Chinese Vice Premier Wu Yi called on Asia-Pacific countries and regions to step up cooperation in seeking common progress and prosperity by integrating into the process of world economic development on June 13.

She made the remarks in a keynote speech titled "Cooperation for Win-Win, and Harmony in Development" at a luncheon of the 38th International General Meeting of the Pacific Basin Economic Council (PBEC) which opened in Hong Kong Monday.

Wu said China is willing to further expand economic cooperation and trade exchanges with countries and regions in Asia-Pacific and the world as a whole, and promote dialogue and exchanges with them on the basis of equality and mutual benefit, mutual respect, coexistence in peace, and harmonious development.

She said the economic development of the Asia-Pacific region is now facing new opportunities and challenges in the new century. Therefore, Asia-Pacific countries and regions must increase cooperation, promote development so as to realize a win-win situation.

"This is where the fundamental interests of the people in the region lie in and also the prerequisite to and corner-stone of the region in leading the global economy," said the Chinese vice premier.

She called on all the regional governments as well as the business circles to join efforts in speeding up economic integrity in the region, increasing and deepening bilateral economic and trade cooperation and expanding cultural and personnel exchanges through strengthening good-neighborliness and mutual political trust.

At the same time, she added, they should persevere in opening- up and mutual accommodation and expand cooperation gearing to the whole world.

China has been maintaining rapid and healthy economic development since the 1980s and the comprehensive national strength has witnessed marked growth, Wu said, adding China is the third largest import market in the world and the biggest in Asia.

China has in its economic development interacted with countries and regions in Asia-Pacific and the world, featuring exchange and cooperation, mutual benefit and a win-win situation, she said.

China is striving to build a well-off society in an all-round way in the first two decades of the 21st century, which will for sure provide a broader market and more business opportunities for the countries and regions in Asia-Pacific and the world at large, Wu added.

The Chinese government at the beginning of this century put forward a concept of scientific development based on the idea of people-first, and comprehensive, coordinated sustainable development, said Wu.

China sticks to implementing the sustainable development strategy and promoting harmony between human and nature, so as to achieve a balance between economic development and population, resources and the environment, and takes the road featuring increased production, affluent life and good ecology, Wu said.

As a big country rich in natural resources, China is able to develop its economy by mainly depending on its own energies and resources, Wu said, adding that China will also strengthen cooperation with other major manufacturing and consumer countries based on mutual benefit and the win-win principle.

On the situation in Hong Kong, Wu said: "We are glad to see that Hong Kong is enjoying social stability, economic recovery and livelihood improvement."

She said under the consensus of "seeking development, stability and harmony," Hong Kong residents are joining their efforts to achieve economic rejuvenation and even greater development.

Wu said the principles of "One Country, Two Systems," "Hong Kong people governing Hong Kong" and a high degree of autonomy have been proved to be entirely correct. Hong Kong people are fully capable of administering, building and developing Hong Kong well.

"We have full confidence in Hong Kong's future," Wu stressed.

She also positively evaluated the PBEC's efforts to promote the dialogue between the business circles and governments, and praised the removal of the PBEC's headquarters to Hong Kong.

Before the luncheon, Wu met with principal participants of the meeting. She also met with heads of the representative offices of central organizations in Hong Kong and executives of Chinese mainland-funded enterprises in Hong Kong.

Source: Xinhua