President Xi is attending the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting today. What role does China play in boosting economic integration under the APEC mechanism? And what new highlights can we expect from China's participation in pushing forward the development of a digital economy? Our reporter Su Yuting has more.

Experts say the APEC economies could find more common ground through international economic policy coordination, adding that innovative technolgy is the key to the continued opening-up of the markets and regional economic connectivity.

WANG YUSHENG CHINA'S FORMER SENIOR APEC OFFICIAL "The theme of the ongoing APEC Leaders' Week is Harnessing Inclusive Opportunities, Embracing the Digital Future. I think one of the most important highlights of this year's meeting is to achieve high-quality development through innovation. Just as President Xi Jinping has emphasized, a new revolution in science and technology is in the making. But old driving forces are yet to be replaced by new ones. In the past, a lot of our economic cooperation mainly focused on the infrastructure sector, now it's time to expand into new digital areas."

During a press conference ahead of President Xi's overseas trip, Vice Foreign Minister Zheng Zeguang said total trade between China and the Pacific Island countries reached 7.25 billion US dollars last year, adding that China has become an important trading partner, export market and source of foreign capital for these countries.

Experts said the first visit by a Chinese head of state to Papua New Guinea is expected to deepen trade and economic cooperation.

WANG YUSHENG CHINA'S FORMER SENIOR APEC OFFICIAL "Against the backdrop of rising anti-globalization and protectionism, China calls for more efforts to maintain openness, and support a multilateral trading system. We follow the principles of achieving shared growth, fairness and mutual benefits through discussion and collaboration."

SU YUTING BEIJING "APEC members will focus on regional economic integration, the digital economy, building consensus and issuing a leaders' declaration. Experts said President Xi Jinping's attendance at the meetings will help promote the building of a free trade area in the Asia Pacific and deliver results in trade and investment liberalization and business facilitation to counter unilateralism and protectionism. Su Yuting, CGTN, Beijing."