Chinese President Xi Jinping called on the Asia-Pacific business community to contribute its share to promoting openness and development on Thursday.

Delivering a keynote speech at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) CEO Dialogues via video link in Beijing, Xi said he hoped business leaders would play a more active role in growth and development in the post-COVID-19 era.

"As Asia-Pacific economies are connected by the same ocean, we benefit from close interactions between our peoples and geographic proximity," said Xi. "We should follow market trends, seize opportunities created by economic globalization and regional economic integration and become forerunners driving global growth."

He also stressed the importance of the Asia-Pacific business community, saying it is "an engine driving economic growth" and needs a "broader vision, greater resilience and stronger entrepreneurship."

"I hope you will contribute your share to promoting openness and development," the Chinese president said, adding that he hopes business leaders will explore innovation-driven growth, become partners in achieving win-win cooperation and fulfill social responsibilities.

"I am sure you will create greater prospects for business development," he said.

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

(Cover image: Containers at the Yantian Port in Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, south China, July 4, 2019. /Reuters)