APEC ministers agree on measures instrumental to harmonious development: Chinese official

VLADIVOSTOK, Russia, Sept. 6 (Xinhua) -- 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.

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