President Xi to deliver important speech at APEC summit: spokeswoman

President Xi Jinping will deliver an important speech at the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit scheduled from Nov. 10 to 12 in Lima of Peru, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said at a press briefing in Beijing on Friday.

She made the remarks in response to a media inquiry about the Chinese president's participation in the event.

Mao said President Xi will also attend the 19th summit of G20 scheduled from Nov. 18 to 19 in Rio de Janeiro of Brazil.

Xi's participation in this year's APEC summit is a significant head-of-state diplomatic action towards the Asia-Pacific region, which fully embodies the importance China attaches to economic cooperation in the region, said Mao.

The current global economic growth is sluggish and economic cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region faces new challenges, she said, stressing that APEC is an important platform for economic cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region, and all parties expect the Asia-Pacific to continue playing its role as an engine for world economic growth.

"President Xi Jinping will deliver an important speech at the summit, introducing key measures for deepening reform and opening up, and setting forth China's policy proposals for advancing Asia-Pacific cooperation. China is willing to work with all parties to fully implement the APEC Putrajaya Vision 2040, push the meeting to achieve positive outcomes, so as to inject new impetus into regional economic integration and the growth in the Asia-Pacific and the world at large, and jointly build the Asia-Pacific community with a shared future," said Mao.

President Xi's attendance to the 19th G20 Summit demonstrates China's firm support for multilateralism and the great importance it attaches to the G20 cooperation, said Mao.

The world economic growth lacks momentum, global development faces challenges, and destabilizing factors and uncertainties in the international situation are increasing, Mao said, adding that all parties generally expect the G20 to play its role as a main forum in international economic cooperation, so as to inject impetus into world economic growth and chart the course for improving global economic governance.

"President Xi Jinping will deliver an important speech at the summit, and have in-depth exchanges with leaders from various countries on the subject of 'building a fair world and a sustainable planet.' China advocates an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, and is willing to work with all parties to push the Rio de Janeiro Summit to achieve positive outcomes and send out clear signals in upholding multilateralism, building an open world economy, and supporting sustainable development, so as to encourage all countries to cooperate to address challenges, realize common prosperity, and jointly build a community with a shared future for mankind," said Mao.

President Xi to deliver important speech at APEC summit: spokeswoman

President Xi to deliver important speech at APEC summit: spokeswoman

President Xi to deliver important speech at APEC summit: spokeswoman

A delegation of 40 students and teachers from seven Chinese mainland universities on Thursday wrapped up their nine-day visit to Taiwan. They set off for Taiwan on Nov. 27 and visited universities, historical sites, scenic spots, as well as sports, sci-tech and cultural venues on the island, widely engaging with locals throughout the tour.

The delegation made the tour at the invitation of the Taiwan-based Ma Ying-jeou Culture and Education Foundation.

"The young people from both sides of the Strait share the same root, and we are having a harmonious communication this time. We also welcome young people from Taiwan to visit the mainland for exchange," Cao Yibo, a student from Peking University, told reporters during the tour.

The delegation included table tennis Olympic champion Ma Long who studies at Beijing Sport University, and air rifle Olympic champion Yang Qian of Tsinghua University.

"In the future, I would like to visit Taiwan again. I did not expect that so many compatriots in Taiwan would come to welcome and us and pay so much attention to our exchange tour," Ma said.

Hsiao Hsu-tsen, executive director of the Ma Ying-jeou Culture and Education Foundation, saw off the delegation at the airport on Thursday, and said the mainland students and teachers had received Taiwan residents' heartfelt welcome wherever they went.

"The farewell dinner party was held yesterday evening, when almost all students from the mainland shared their feelings. What moved me so much is that every one of them thanked people here, because the latter sincerely and warmly welcomed them wherever they went during the nine-day tour. They told me that when they go back, they will tell their relatives and friends that people in Taiwan are kind, hospitable and warm. I believe that is the most important purpose of the exchange across the Strait," he said.

Calling youth exchanges a foundation of cross-Strait relations in the future, Hsiao said the foundation will carry on and continue to promote such exchanges across the Strait.

This is the second delegation of mainland teachers and students visiting Taiwan at the invitation of the Ma Ying-jeou Foundation, following the visit by a first delegation in July last year.

Delegation of mainland university students, teachers wraps up Taiwan visit