Chinese President Xi Jinping called for joint efforts to deliver a brighter future for all, both in the Asia-Pacific and across the world.

Xi expressed his hope for the Asia-Pacific business community in his keynote speech at the APEC CEO Dialogues via video link on Thursday.

The Malaysia delegation of the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) is hosting the forum under the theme of "APEC Re-imagined: Priorities in the Aftermath of COVID-19."   

Xi wished that the Asia-Pacific business community will contribute their share to promoting openness and development, as well as explore innovation-driven growth.

International community must jointly respond to crisis

Xi said that to beat the COVID-19 pandemic and promote global recovery, the international community need to close ranks and jointly respond to the crisis and challenge the test.

Xi also said that China will expand domestic demand as a strategic priority and ensure smooth flow of economic activity, adding that China has full confidence and ability to maintain stable economic performance and achieve the goals of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects and eradicating poverty within the set time frame.

China pursues 'open, mutually reinforcing' domestic, international circulations

Xi said that by fostering a new development paradigm, China is not pursuing a closed-door circulation, but open and mutually reinforcing domestic and international circulations. 

"Openness enables a country to move forward, while seclusion holds it back," he said, noting China is already deeply integrated into the global economy and the international system.

China adheres to innovation

Xi said innovation has always been the primary driver of development to China, and the country will endeavor to build an innovation system that integrates science and technology, education, industries and the financial sector, and upgrade the industrial chains.

China must pursue innovation to achieve high-quality growth driven by domestic demand, as the country enters a new stage of development and factors of production underpinning its development have gone through profound changes, Xi said.

China to modernize governance system

Xi said that China will take more steps and remove with greater resolve deep-seated systemic and institutional barriers to modernize its governance system and capacity.

China to continue to deepen intl cooperation

China will take a more active part in the international division of labor, get more effectively integrated into global industrial, supply and value chains, and more enthusiastically expand exchanges and cooperation with other countries.

"We welcome cooperation with any region, country or company that wants to do so," he said.

"As the Asia-Pacific economies are connected by the same ocean, we benefit from close interactions between our peoples and geographic proximity," Xi said, adding that China will continue to firmly support the multilateral trading system.  

"Let us not forget that we are a community with a common stake, and let us move toward closer regional economic integration," Xi said.

"We need to accelerate innovation-driven growth, enhance regional connectivity, and realize inclusive and sustainable development. Step by step, we can surely turn our vision into reality and deliver a better life for people in the region."

(With input from Xinhua)