Chinese President Hu Jintao said Thursday that China does not
seek a large trade surplus and is ready to forge closer business
ties with other APEC member economies and non-APEC countries and
regions on the basis of equality and mutual benefit.?
He made the remarks in a speech delivered at the business summit
of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum, which opened
Thursday in Australia's largest city of Sydney.
Hu is here on a state visit to Australia and will attend the
15th APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting, scheduled for Sept. 8-9.
China takes an active part in regional economic cooperation and
promotes trade and investment liberalization and facilitation in
the Asia-Pacific region, he told the gathering of APEC business
leaders.
China, which has concluded free trade agreements with the
Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Chile and Pakistan, is now
holding free trade negotiations with Australia, New Zealand and
Singapore, and conducting feasibility studies with India and the
Republic of Korea on free trade.
The growth of international trade has benefited all countries.
China's enormous domestic demand and vast domestic market are
driving its economic growth, he added.
"China does not seek a large trade surplus," Hu said.
China will continue to transform the pattern of trade growth,
increase import and strengthen protection of intellectual property
rights to ensure coordinated and balanced growth of import and
export as well as contribute to the sustainable growth of global
trade, he pledged.
The two-day APEC business summit, an important forum of the APEC
meetings, will focus on trade, market and structural issues as well
as energy, clean development, climate change and education. The
theme of the business summit is "strengthening our community,
building a sustainable future."
(Xinhua News Agency September 7, 2007)
