APEC ministers agree on measures instrumental to harmonious development

The two-day APEC ministerial meeting that concluded Thursday has reached agreement on a number of issues that focus on harmonious development and innovative growth, said a senior Chinese delegate.

Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu said the ministers reached broad consensus on such issues as shoring up food security, supporting multilateral trade mechanisms and promoting trade and investment liberalization and regional integration.

Ma said the APEC ministers also delved into what goods will be included on the list of tariff reduction treatment among member economies.

The two-day meeting ended with an agreement on 54 items that, upon approval by the leaders of the 21 APEC member economies on Saturday and Sunday, were expected to get trade tariff reductions to a level of 5 percent by 2015.

Cooperation among member economies on improving food security also progressed well, Ma told the Chinese media.

The ministers reached additional consensus on strengthening the infrastructure for food markets, increasing investment in agriculture, enhancing food product security, and ensuring food supplies for the less protected, Ma said.

Other progress made in Vladivostok included agreement on continued efforts in cooperation on supply chains, he said.

Ma said the ministers also reached consensus on additional efforts to forge diversification of supply pathways, smart pathways and crisis management.

The two-day ministerial meeting also made progress on issues such as economic structure reforms, APEC structural changes and the ocean-related economy.

To help promote development and deepen regional cooperation, China will host the 2014 APEC leaders' meeting, a decision reported in the ministers' joint statement.

The decision will be officially announced by Chinese President Hu Jintao, who will deliver a keynote speech at the APEC economic leaders' meeting and exchange views with regional leaders during his stay in Vladivostok in Russia's Far East.

Ma said that China has attached great importance to APEC cooperation and has been active in APEC activities.

China is willing to host the 2014 APEC meeting as an opportunity to deepen cooperation with other member economies and contribute more to regional development, Ma said.