China’s participation in APEC activities
After the entry into APEC, China has actively taken part in all activities of the organization and brought about positive effect on the recent corporation among APEC members.


I. China participation in APEC leader’s informal events

Since 1993 when the annual Informal APEC Leaders' Meeting was started, China’s former President Jiang Zemin has attended the meeting and delivered speeches to state China's opinions about principle of Asia-Pacific Region's economic cooperation and the development of the organization, making the significant contribution to the successful completion of each meeting and APEC's healthy development.

1) Seattle Meeting
In November 1993, Mr. Jiang Zemin attended the 1st APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting and raised the important question, What kind of a world are we going to usher into the 21st century?

During the meeting, Mr. Jiang Zemin made a speech on the three agenda on the vision for the Asia-Pacific region, priorities for regional economic cooperation, means and mechanisms for regional economic cooperation, pointing out that the world was approaching the 21st century. He said that it would be a good thing to have genuine peace and prosperity for mankind after joint efforts. The leaders would not be able to account for it to the world people if the world continued to be chaotic, insecure and plagued by economic troubles at the turn of this century. Mr. Jiang also raised the guiding principles for regional economic cooperation: mutual respect, equality and mutual interest, opening to each other and common prosperity.

2) Bogor Meeting
At 1994 Bogor Meeting, Mr. Jiang Zemin elaborated the 5 principles on the economic cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region and put forward the initiative that Meeting of Ministers responsible for scientific and technological cooperation be convened.

Mr. Jiang Zemin delivered 2 speeches at the meeting. In his keynote speech, he elaborated China's opinions on the international situation, economic situation and cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region. Taking the diversity and mutual interdependence in this region into account, Mr. Jiang Zemin put forward the 5 principles on the future economic development of the Asia-Pacific region as follows: Mutual respect and consensus; Gradual progress in an orderly and steady manner; Mutual opening without exclusion; Extensive cooperation, mutual benefit and reciprocity and Narrow the gap and achieve common prosperity. Concerning trade and investment liberalization, Mr. Jiang Zemin pointed out clearly that China was in favor of trade and investment liberalization as a long-term goal and the formulation of an appropriate timetable for implementation and agreed that the meeting reach agreements of intent on these issues. He stated that trade liberalization should be based on the principle of non-discrimination and should accommodate the diverseness in the Asia-Pacific region. Mr. Jiang Zemin expressed his thinking and proposed that APEC Meeting of Ministers responsible for scientific and technological cooperation be convened in Beijing in 1995.

3) Osaka Meeting
At Osaka Meeting 1995, Mr. Jiang Zemin reiterated China’s basic stand on carrying out regional economic cooperation and made public China's decision to reduce its overall tariff level from 1996.

In his speech, Mr. Jiang stated that the importance of the revitalization of developing countries to the prosperity of the Asia-Pacific region and the whole world should be recognized from the point of historical view. He pointed out that if the political resurgence of the developing countries can be viewed as a major feature of the international evolution in the second half of the 20th century, then their economic revitalization would be a key hallmark of the new world pattern in the 21st century.

Taking the new situation and the diverseness of Asia and the Pacific region into account, Mr. Jiang pointed out that APEC should be developed into a economic cooperation organization with distinct characteristics of the Asia-Pacific region. He also elaborated China's 5 basic positions: Achieving a sustainable economic development in the Asia-Pacific region and the world at large should be the fundamental objective of the cooperation; Efforts to be made to create a favorable external environment for economic growth of the developing members; Principles of unilaterism and voluntarism should be adhered to; Considering existing differences and keeping the process of trade and investment liberalization at a carefully-measured speed; Trade and investment liberalization and economic and technical cooperation should be given equal emphasis.

Mr. Jiang Zemin also reiterated the industrial co-operation should be strengthened in APEC members and economic and technological co-operation be placed one of subjects on the agenda of APEC Philippines 1996.

4) Subic Meeting
At APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Subic 1996, Mr. Jiang Zemin expounded profoundly and comprehensively on economic and technical cooperation, and put forward for the first time the APEC Approach guiding APEC cooperation. Mr. Jiang also announced that China would try to reduce its average import tariff rate to around 15% by the year 2000.

Mr. Jiang Zemin emphasized that economic and technical cooperation and trade and investment liberation were of equal importance. Without a fruitful economic and technical cooperation, trade and investment liberation could not make much headway. In both principles and practices, APEC economic and technical cooperation was quite different from development aid in the traditional sense. This cooperation was reciprocal, based on equality, mutual benefit and complementarity. Its basic objective was to turn diversity into complementarity in the economic development of all members, so as to achieve common prosperity. Mr. Jiang pointed out that in order to ensure an effective economic and technical cooperation, it was necessary to set a focus, namely, to define certain priority areas. He proposed that a science and technology industrial parks network be set up within APEC in order to accelerate the momentum of integration of science and technology with the economy. Mr. Jiang also proposed that China was ready to open an environmental protection center in Beijing with advanced equipment to APEC members.

Mr. Jiang Zemin emphatically pointed out that since its establishment, APEC had gradually come up with unique way of cooperation. This had come to be known as the APEC Approach. It had such features as recognition of diversity; emphasis on flexibility, gradual progress and openness; adherence to mutual respect, equality, mutual benefit, consensus and voluntarity; and combination of individual and collective actions. Guided by the collectively defined common objectives, APEC members were free to make their respective efforts in light of their own circumstances. APEC practice had shown that this approach was viable and effective and should be maintained. Departure from this approach would bring APEC difficulties hard to overcome.

5) Vancouver Meeting
At 1997 Vancouver Meeting, Mr. Jiang Zemin reiterated APEC Approach. He urged developed members to fully open their market for technology trade and speed up the transfer of technology to developing members. He proposed that APEC adopted an Agenda for Science and Technology Industry Cooperation into the 21st Century. Mr. Jiang also expounded China's basic position on the East Asian financial crisis and announced that China decided to accede to the Information Technology Agreement and lower its average tariff to industrial products to 10% by 2005.

On APEC approach, President Jiang pointed out that APEC has its own basic features in its approach, that is giving full consideration to the diversity of its members and acknowledging their divergence in the level and stage of development as well as the consequent differing interests and needs; laying emphasis on flexibility, step-by -step progress and openness; adhering to such principles as equality and mutual benefit, consensus, seeking common ground while putting aside differences as well as voluntarism; and combining individual with collective actions. Practice has proved that the APEC Approach, which responds to the reality in the region, is conducive to achieving a balance of rights, interests and needs of various members. It will also help its member economies to give full play to their capability for common development. Adherence to this approach affords an important guarantee for strengthened cooperation among APEC members.

As to economic and technical cooperation, President Jiang pointed out that economic and technical cooperation and trade and investment liberalization are closely linked and should support each other. Science and technology cooperation should be the important content and priority area for APEC cooperation. He expounded views on fully opening the market for technology trade, encourage and speed up the transfer of hi-technologies and other latest technologies to all members and developing members in particular, and rationalize the intellectual property rights regime. He also proposed that APEC adopt an Agenda for Science and Technology Industry Cooperation into the 21st Century, which was highly valued and was fully reflected in the Vancouver Declaration.

As to financial instability in Southeast Asia, Mr. Jiang stressed that normal and safe operation of the financial system was crucial to the overall economic stability and development. He emphasized that to maintain a normal financial order and ward off financial risks, we should not only formulate correct economic development strategies and preserve a rational economic structure, but also improve the financial system through strengthened financial supervision and regulation. Meanwhile, we should decline financial policies in light of our specific conditions. We should enhance regional and international financial cooperation, jointly restrain and ward off the impact of excessive speculation of hot money in the world. China was ready to participate in discussions on strengthening financial cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region.

During the meeting, Mr. Jiang delivered a speech at the banquet hosted by Vancouver Government for the representatives of APEC members and APEC CEO Summit special prolonged meeting, respectively. He briefed on China's domestic economic situation and relevant policies and expounded China's stand on the issue of developing cooperation between enterprises within APEC members.

6) Kuala Lumpur Meeting
At Kuala Lumpur Meeting 1998, Mr. Jiang pointed out that the Asian financial crisis came out of the accelerated development of the globalization, which was bringing development opportunities as well as grim challenge and risks. He brought forward his opinions on promoting the steady development of the international financial system and giving impetus to the establishment of a new international financial order: strengthen international cooperation and prevent the crisis from spreading; reform and improve the international financial system, secure safe and orderly operation of the international financial market; respect the choice of relevant countries to overcome the crisis. Concerning economic and technical cooperation, Mr. Jiang praised the formulation of APEC Agenda on Science and Technology Industry Cooperation into the 21st century under the leadership of Malaysia. He announced that China would provide 10 million US dollars to set up China APEC Fund on Scientific and Industrial Cooperation to finance the co-operation between China and other APEC members in the field of science and technology. As to trade and investment liberalization, Mr. Jiang emphasized that APEC members should be allowed to realize the Bogor goals on the basis of self-determination, voluntarism, flexibility and adopting a pragmatic approach according to the Bogor timetable. APEC members should be allowed to adjust their speed and means according to their own characteristics in an active and steady way.

On science and technology cooperation and human resources development, Mr. Jiang pointed out that science and technology were the primary productive forces, and human beings the most valuable resources. He emphasized the following: to carry out science and technology industry cooperation to help enterprises enhance their innovation capability; to increase the financial regulatory and supervisory capability to ward off any risks that might come with the globalization of the international financial market; to provide reemployment training and promote coordinated social and economic progress.

At the dialogue between APEC leaders and the representatives of APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC), Mr. Jiang praised the efforts made by the business community to promote the APEC process. He pointed out that enterprises were basic units for economic activities and carriers of capital and technology. Without participation of enterprises, economic and technical cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region would not develop dynamically.

7) Auckland Meeting
Mr. Jiang delivered a speech at the meeting. He stressed that keeping its nature as an economic forum, maintaining its unique APEC approach and attaching importance to economic and technical cooperation is the important experience of APEC to maintain vitality and make achievements. Mr. Jiang put forward proposals on the development direction of APEC and the focus of cooperation. He stressed that APEC should actively promote common economic prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region, deepen regional economic and technical cooperation so as to lay a solid foundation for medium and long-term development of the Asia-Pacific, actively and steadily push forward the process of trade and investment liberalization and promote a sound development of the multilateral trading system, actively strengthen the cooperation in the international financial field, promote the establishment of a new, fair, and rational international financial order, firmly adhere to the right development direction of APEC and maintain the vigour and vitality of the organization, actively press ahead with the mutually beneficial cooperation among APEC members.

President Jiang also delivered a speech on APEC CEO Summit. He briefed on the economic development and the efforts made by China to maintain stability and development of the region. He also expressed that Chinese government will continue to encourage and support its enterprises to participate in APEC cooperation and to meet the challenge of globalization.

The above speeches of Mr. Jiang summarized APEC course of development and pointed out its future development directions. Meanwhile, the speech reiterated to the international society the confidence and determination of Chinese government to adhere to the policy of reform and opening up and to actively participate in various APEC activities. The speech drew attention of participants and contributed to the success of the meeting and the development of Asia-Pacific economic cooperation.


II. APEC Ministerial Meetings and leading officials of China’s delegation

The 3rd APEC Ministerial Meeting held between November 12~14, 1991 in Seoul, South Korea; Qian Qichen, former State Councilor and Foreign Minister, and Li Lanqing, former Minister of Foreign Economic Relations and Trade

The 4th APEC Ministerial Meeting held between September 10~11, 1992, in Bangkok, Thailand; Qian Qichen, former State Councilor and Foreign Minister, and Li Lanqing, former Minister of Foreign Economic Relations and Trade

The 5th APEC Ministerial Meeting held between November 17~19, 1993, in Seattle, USA; Qian Qichen, former State Councilor and Foreign Minister, and Wu Yi, former Minister of Foreign Economic Relations and Trade

The 6th APEC Ministerial Meeting held between November 11~12, 1994, in Jakarta, Indonesia; Qian Qichen, former State Councilor and Foreign Minister, and Wu Yi, former Minister of Foreign Economic Relations and Trade

The 7th APEC Ministerial Meeting held between November 16~17, 1995, in Osaka, Japan; Qian Qichen, former State Councilor and Foreign Minister, and Wu Yi, former Minister of Foreign Economic Relations and Trade

The 8th APEC Ministerial Meeting held between November 22~23, 1996, in Manila, the Philippines; Qian Qichen, former State Councilor and Foreign Minister, and Wu Yi, former Minister of Foreign Economic Relations and Trade

The 9th APEC Ministerial Meeting held between November 21-22, 1997, in Vancouver, Canada; Qian Qichen, former State Councilor and Foreign Minister, and Wu Yi, former Minister of Foreign Economic Relations and Trade

The 10th APEC Ministerial Meeting held between November 14~15, 1998, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Tang Jiaxuan, former Foreign Minister, and Shi Guangshen, former Minister of Foreign Economic Relations and Trade

The 11th APEC Ministerial Meeting held between November 9~10, 1999, in Auckland, New Zealand; Tang Jiaxuan, former Foreign Minister, and Shi Guangshen, former Minister of Foreign Economic Relations and Trade.


III. APEC Sectoral Ministerial Meetings and leading officials of China’s delegation

1992 Education Ministers Meeting; Teng Teng, former vice Chairman of State Education Commission

1994 Finance Ministers Meeting, Liu Zhongli, former Minister of Finance; Environment Ministers Meeting, Xie Zhenhua, former Administrator of National Environment Protection Administration; Trade Ministers Meeting, Wu Yi, former Minister of Foreign Economic Relations and Trade; SMEs Ministers Meeting, Wang Zhongyu, former Chairman of State Economic &Trade Commission

1995 Finance Ministers Meeting, Liu Zhongli, former Minister of Finance; Telecommunication Ministers Meeting, Wu Jichuan, former Minister of Post & Telecommunication; Transportation Ministers Meeting, Huang Zhendong, former Minister of Communication; SMEs Ministers Meeting, Wang Zhongyu, former Chairman of State Economic &Trade Commission.

1996 Industrial Science and Technology Ministers Meeting, Song Jian, former State Councilor and Chairman of State Science and Technology Commission; Trade Ministers Meeting, Wu Yi, former Minister of Foreign Economic Relations and Trade; Finance Ministers Meeting, Liu Zhongli, former Minister of Finance; Environment Ministers Meeting, Ye Ruqiu, former Vice Administrator of National Environment Protection Administration; Energy Ministers Meeting, Ye Qing, former Vice Chairman of State Planning Commission; Telecommunication Ministers Meeting, Wu Jichuan, Minister of Post & Telecommunication; SMEs Ministers Meeting, Chen Qingtai, former Vice Chairman of State Economic &Trade Commission

1997 Finance Ministers Meeting, Liu Zhongli, former Minister of Finance; Trade Ministers Meeting, by Long Yongtu, former Chief Representative for Trade Negotiation of Ministry of Foreign Economic Relations and Trade; Environment Ministers Meeting, Xie Zhenhua, former Administrator of National Environment Protection Administration; Transportation Ministers Meeting, Liu Songjin, former Vice Minister of Communication; Energy Ministers Meeting, Ye Qing, former Vice Chairman of State Planning Commission; SMEs Ministers Meeting, Chen Qingtai, former Vice Chairman of State Economic &Trade Commission; HRD Ministers Meeting, by Zhang Bolin, former Vice Minister of Personnel

1998 Finance Ministers Meeting, Xiang Huaicheng, former Minister of Finance; Telecommunication Ministers Meeting, Wu Jichuan, former Minister of Information Industry; Trade Ministers Meeting, Long Yongtu, former Chief Representative for Trade Negotiation of Ministry of Foreign Economic Relations and Trade; SMEs Ministers Meeting, Chen Bangzhu, former Vice Chairman of State Economic &Trade Commission, and Bao Xuding, former Vice Minister of Planning; Women’s Affairs Meeting, Liu Yazhi, former Vice Minister of Labor and Social Security; Industrial Science and Technology Ministers Meeting, Zhu Lilan, former Minister of Science and Technology

1999 Finance Ministers Meeting, Xiang Huaicheng, former Minister of Finance; Trade Ministers Meeting, Long Yongtu, former Chief Representative for Trade Negotiation of Ministry of Foreign Economic Relations and Trade; HRD Ministers Meeting, Bu Zhengfa, former Vice Minister of Personnel