Chinese President Hu Jintao expounded China's stance on tackling
climate change on Saturday at the 15th Economic Leaders' Meeting of
the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum.
The APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting, which opened on Saturday
with the theme of "strengthening our community, building a
sustainable future," focused on climate change and other issues at
the opening session.
In a speech delivered at the meeting, Hu said the overall stable
international environment, accelerating economic globalization and
rapid progress in technological innovation have presented mankind
with a rare opportunity for development.
"As one of the most dynamic regions with great potentials, the
Asia-Pacific region has become an important driving force
propelling global economic growth," he said.
On the other hand, the Asia-Pacific region also faces some
uncertainties in its development, the Chinese president said.
Global economic imbalances are increasing, trade protectionism
is resurfacing, pressure on energy resources is growing, and issues
related to ecological environments have become more acute, Hu
said.
Climate change, which concerns the development of the
Asia-Pacific and the well-being of all the people in the region,
has drawn concern from Asia-Pacific countries, he added.
Climate change poses a severe challenge to the Asia-Pacific
region, but the region also has unique strengths in tackling it,
the Chinese president said, adding the Asia-Pacific is a region of
diversity and strong complementarity.
APEC members have in recent years launched a number of
initiatives and measures to tackle climate change, and progress has
been made, he said.
"We should build consensus and conduct cooperation on this
basis. This will enable us not only to promote sustainable
development in our region but also boost the global efforts to
address climate change," he told leaders of other APEC member
economies.
The Chinese president arrived in Sydney from Canberra on
Wednesday to attend the annual APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting. He
also paid a state visit to Australia.
The two-day Economic Leaders' Meeting is the culmination of this
year's annual APEC meetings, which also include a ministerial
meeting, a senior officials' meeting and a business summit.
Since its inception in 1989 in response to the growing
interdependence among Asia-Pacific economies, APEC has played a
vital role in making the Asia-Pacific region a driving force for
global economic growth.
APEC currently has 21 members and the chairmanship rotates among
its members.
(Xinhua News Agency September 8, 2007)
