"The APEC member economies have decided to initiate the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific process, marking the official launch of FTA Asia-Pacific. The APEC member economies have also decided to approve a roadmap for APEC's contribution to the realization of the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific. The move is a historic step we took in the direction towards realizing the FTA Asia-Pacific. It also demonstrates the confidence and determination of APEC in advancing regional economic integration, and it is a decision that will be written into history books."
Chinese President Xi Jinping says the decision will bring the integration to a new and higher level, benefit economies across the Pacific Ocean and inject new energy into the growth of the region and APEC members.
"We have reached consensus that regional economic integration is the driving force behind sustained strong growth in the Asia-Pacific region, and APEC should continue to play a leading and coordinating role in pushing forward this process."
Xi Jinping says APEC members have also agreed to jointly build an Asia-Pacific partnership.
"We have decided to promote the spirit of mutual-trust, inclusiveness, and cooperation, and to strive for a win-win situation, with the aim to jointly build a partnership in the Asia-Pacific region that is facing up to the future."
In addition, the Chinese President says the APEC members have adopted a blueprint for improved connectivity in Asia-Pacific. They set targets to enhance physical, institutional, and people-to-people connectivity by 2025.
Xi Jinping also announced that the APEC member economies have decided to set up a cross-border law enforcement network to strengthen transnational anti-corruption cooperation in the region.
This year's meeting has also released a statement on the 25th anniversary of APEC, the first commemorative announcement in APEC history.
For CRI, this is Wang Mengzhen.
