From October 20 to 21, 2003, President Hu Jintao attended the 11th APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting held in Bangkok.

       This is the first time that Hu attended the APEC meeting since he became president, and a major diplomatic move, drawing attention from home and abroad. President Hu attended two leaders' meetings, two business circles' meetings, made important speeches on several occasions, and held bilateral meetings with leaders of the US, Russia, Japan and other APEC members.

        Hu made remarkable achievements attending the meeting, which are as follows in a summary.

       First, Hu further displayed China's achievements of reform and opening up. Hu made a speech at APEC business leaders' meeting, and introduced China's economic development, its good momentum, and the task of building a well-off society in an all-round way. As regards international concern over the rate of RMB, Hu emphasized that China's development has brought new opportunities to the world economy. The stability of the rate of RMB conforms to the needs of economic development in the Asia-Pacific region and the whole world. Hu also held a press conference after the APEC meeting, explaining China's assessment of the results of the meeting, and took questions from the press. His remarks have increased the outside world's understanding and admiration of China.

       Second, Hu put forward important propositions on Asia-Pacific economic cooperation. Hu pointed out that the members should enhance mutual trust to promote Asia-Pacific stability, adopt effective measures to promote economic and social development, and open markets to improve multilateral trade mechanisms. Hu also expressed his views on the future direction of APEC, information technology cooperation, the fight against terrorism, and APEC reform, and raised proposals on sci-tech innovation and social security. These proposals and initiative conform to the needs of China's reform and development, reflect the consensus of all APEC members, developing members in particular, and are widely supported and embodied in the Leaders' Declaration.

       Third, Hu sticked to the correct direction of APEC development. APEC is an economic cooperation forum. Hu emphasized that APEC should not depart from the purposes and goals of economic cooperation. The Chinese stance is welcomed and paid attention to.

       Fourth, Hu was actively engaged in summit diplomacy and promoted bilateral relations between China and relevant countries. Hu met with leaders of 10 members including the US, Russia, Japan and Mexico, exchanged views with them on bilateral relations and international and regional issues of common concern, enhancing mutual understanding, deepening bilateral cooperation and promoting friendly relations between China and the US, Russia, the ROK, Japan, PNG, Mexico, Chile, Peru and 10 ASEAN countries.

       In short, Hu's attending of the APEC meeting has further established China's international image of maintaining world peace and promoting common development, displayed the new leaders' ability to keep complicated situations under control and open, pragmatic and people-oriented style. It has also reached the goal of making friends with people from various circles and deepening cooperation. It is conducive to creating a good international and neighboring environment for the goal of building a well-off society in an all-round way and a successful diplomatic practice.


                 (from www.mfa.gov.cn)