国内英语新闻:APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting kicks off in Beijing

BEIJING, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- The 22nd Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting kicked off here Tuesday morning.

Hosting the meeting at the Yanqi Lake International Convention Center in northern suburb of Beijing, President Xi Jinping called for greater regional integration, faster reform and better connectivity.

Xi said the Asia-Pacific has entered a new stage of development with both chances and challenges, and problems should be tackled in an active manner.

"How can we resolve the risks that regional economic integration goes fragmented? How can we seek new growth momentum in the post-financial crisis era? How can we break the financing bottleneck for connectivity development?" Xi said.

The President called on the APEC to lead the drive, breaking down barriers and speeding up the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP) process to realize greater regional economic integration.

Xi suggested bolder reform and innovation in governance, industrial development and technologies for the region to seek new growth momentum.

New economic situation also requires that the region speed up improving connectivity and infrastructure, Xi said.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the APEC, which has been a top-level and most representative cooperation mechanism that covers a wide range of areas in the Asia-Pacific.

The meeting is expected to launch the FTAAP process, release a statement on the 25th anniversary of the APEC, and make a blueprint to lay foundation for all-round connectivity in the Asia-Pacific.

It is also expected to promote innovation and reforms to seek new momentum for long-term development of the Asia-Pacific.