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Shanghai, China, October 18, 2001
Ladies and Gentlemen,
In this golden autumn season of October,
the APEC CEO Summit 2001 solemnly opens in Shanghai today.
On behalf of the Chinese Government, I wish to warmly welcome
all of you to Shanghai, China and also to offer cordial congratulations
on the opening of APEC CEO Summit 2001.
In every APEC CEO Summit, many business
leaders across the Asia-Pacific would gather together to discuss
the immediate economic issues facing the Asia-Pacific region
and even the world, explore development strategies for enterprises,
seek better mutual understanding and make joint efforts to
build the framework of cooperation. The discussion at the
CEO Summit gives expression to the rich experience, wisdom
and creativity of its participants. They have become a treasure
house of all entrepreneurs and caught the attention of senior
leaders and governments of APEC economies.
As a result of their productive efforts,
business leaders in the Asia-Pacific region have not only
contributed significantly to the economic prosperity and people's
well-being in this region but also become an important force
pushing forward economic cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region
and the world at large. It is fair to say that the APEC CEO
Summit has set up a platform for communication and cooperation,
which gives expression to the long-held APEC spirit of equality
and cooperation. Today, the elite of the Asia-Pacific business
community meet once again in Shanghai to express their views
and discuss major issues under the theme of "New Century,
New Economy: Developing in Globalizing World". Chinese
President Jiang Zemin and many leaders from other member economies
will address the Summit. This will be an occasion under the
new situation for important communication and exchanges between
entrepreneurs as well as between entrepreneurs and governments.
It will help increase cooperation between enterprises in the
Asia-Pacific region as well as strengthen relations between
the enterprises and governments.
In the new century, the trend towards
economic globalization has grown stronger. The New Economy
has developed at an extraordinary speed. The economic situation
in the Asia-Pacific region has undergone many changes. We
need to think about ways to cope with these new developments.
There is no denying that economic globalization has triggered
more fierce market competition worldwide. As major players
in economic activities and technological innovation, enterprises
are obviously under pressure from competition. However, a
wider range of competition implies a wider range of cooperation
at the same time. We stand for cooperation amidst competition,
common development through cooperation and economic prosperity
from common development, which will eventually lead to a better
life for all people together.
For enterprises from different APEC economies,
it is entirely possible for them to bring into play their
respective comparative advantages, boost inter-regional economic
and technological cooperation, optimize the allocation of
resources in a wider scope and on a greater scale and achieve
an all-win outcome while seeking to maximize their profits.
I am confident that this Summit will help the entrepreneurs
from APEC economies to unite as one, pool their wisdom and
efforts, and together face the grim challenge posed by the
visible slowdown of world economic growth as well as the impact
on world and regional economies resulting from the 11 September
terrorist attack. It will help them to explore modalities
for the growth and development of enterprises in the new situation,
look for ways to rejuvenate the Asia-Pacific economy and contribute
their due share to stabilizing the economic situation in the
Asia-Pacific and the world as a whole.
China values its friendly cooperation
with other APEC economies. They are China's important partners
in economic cooperation and trade. In 2000, the trade volume
between China and other APEC economies reached over US$340
billion, and newly-approved introduction of foreign capital
from them exceeded US$30 billion, both accounting for more
than 70% of China's total foreign trade and absorbed foreign
capital. China also encourages viable Chinese enterprises
to invest and do business abroad and to take an active part
in international competition and cooperation. Moreover, China's
overseas investment has been concentrated mainly in APEC regions.
At present, China's accession to the WTO
is imminent. The Chinese market and the world market will
be more closely integrated. China's economic development will
also depend more on its economic exchanges and cooperation
with other countries and regions in the world, especially
the Asia-Pacific region. An open China cannot do without the
world. After its entry into the WTO, China will honor its
commitments and more vigorously advance its all-directional,
multi-tiered and wide-ranging opening-up. China will further
open up its domestic market, increase open areas and localities,
take well-measured steps to open wider in such service sectors
as finance, insurance, telecom, trade and tourism and actively
explore new approaches and ways to utilize foreign capital.
China which is at a new historic starting point faces unprecedented
opportunities for trade and investment. Here, we sincerely
welcome enterprises from various economies to China to grasp
business opportunity and seek even greater progress.
In retrospect over the 20th century, the
Asia-Pacific region achieved remarkable economic growth. Although
the growth has slowed down due to difficulties in recent years,
I am sure that in the 21st century, through persistent efforts
of all APEC members, the economy of the Asia-Pacific region
will regain its vitality and the life of people in the region
further improved. The new century and new economy are bound
to bring to people new hope.
I wish the APEC CEO Summit a complete
success.
Thank you all.
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