China expects greater consensus, more tangible outcomes with APEC parties: spokesperson

BEIJING, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- China looks forward to building further consensus among parties of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), achieving more tangible outcomes, and injecting robust impetus into prosperity and growth in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Friday.

Spokesperson Mao Ning made the remarks at a regular press briefing when answering a query related to the upcoming 33rd APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province.

Noting that after 12 years, China is once again hosting APEC, Mao said the APEC "China Year" has yielded fruitful outcomes. China has successfully held over 300 meetings and events by focusing on the theme of "Building an Asia-Pacific Community to Prosper Together" and the three priority areas of "Openness, Innovation, and Cooperation."

More than 10,000 representatives have participated in the events and reached a number of common understandings on cooperation, laying a solid foundation for the upcoming meeting, said the spokesperson.

With this APEC meeting set to open next week, Mao said China looks forward to agreeing on the APEC Shenzhen Leaders' Declaration among all member economies as well as more practical results in key areas such as trade, connectivity, digital economy, and artificial intelligence.