Xi urges APEC solidarity to fight COVID-19, promote economic recovery

Chinese President Xi Jinping addresses the Informal Economic Leaders' Retreat of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) via video link in Beijing, capital of China, July 16, 2021. [Photo by Li Xueren/Xinhua]

-- Over the next three years, China will provide another 3 billion U.S. dollars in international aid to support COVID-19 response and economic and social recovery in other developing countries.

-- "Let us stand with each other in solidarity, promote anti-COVID cooperation and economic recovery, and work for a bright future of prosperity for all in the Asia-Pacific," said Xi.

-- "The pandemic proves once again that we live in one global village, where countries stand to rise and fall together," said Xi.

BEIJING, July 16 (Xinhua) -- Addressing the Informal Economic Leaders' Retreat of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) on Friday, Chinese President Xi Jinping called upon its members to enhance solidarity and cooperation to overcome the impact of COVID-19 and boost global economic recovery.

"Let us stand with each other in solidarity, promote anti-COVID cooperation and economic recovery, and work for a bright future of prosperity for all in the Asia-Pacific," said Xi.

The attending APEC members have committed themselves to realizing the Putrajaya Vision of an open, dynamic, resilient, and peaceful Asia-Pacific community by 2040 for the prosperity of all their people and future generations, according to a statement released after the meeting.

COOPERATION ON PANDEMIC RESPONSE

"The pandemic proves once again that we live in one global village, where countries stand to rise and fall together," said Xi. He urged solidarity and cooperation to go through this difficult time and jointly work for a healthier and brighter future for humanity.

As of Friday, there were more than 188 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 infections, the World Health Organization said. For the Asia-Pacific region and beyond, the twists and turns of the pandemic, including constant mutations of the virus, pose challenges to economic development and people's livelihood.

To ensure affordability of and accessibility to COVID-19 vaccines, a powerful weapon to defeat the virus, China has pledged to make vaccines a "global public good." Overcoming the challenges of its own mass vaccination program, China has so far provided more than 500 million doses of vaccines to other developing countries.