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President Tran Dai Quang exchanges views with APEC leaders
Growing together
President of the United States said: "I’ve had the honor of sharing our vision of a free and open India-Pacific," he said.
Speaking to APEC entrepreneurs, the president stressed that cooperation must depend on mutual trust. The United States will have a bilateral agreement with any country in the Indo-Pacific region but they must ensure fair trade commitments. We will trade on the basis of “mutual respect and mutual benefit”. We will respect the independence and sovereignty of all countries. That is how we will grow together, said the president.
With the goal of building connectivity and community in a technological world, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern emphasized the need to take responsibility for the new challenge. The governments and businesses need to work together, and use energy responsibly. Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull raised the concern about ensuring that the next generations respect women. That is really a core issue.
The advent of APEC facilitates free and open trade and market access; as well as important achievements in gender balance, micro, small and medium enterprises. When participating in APEC economies, member economies learn experiences from each other, according to Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak.
And having to go together
Despite all the risks and uncertainties, global trade and investment is still growing, and we are still growing and growing in all areas. China look forwards to the future, not to the past. We live in a global world where countries have implemented comprehensive reform and growth, according to President Xi.
Should we go together, or go our separate ways? President Xi raised the question and answered: Our answer is that we have to go together. He explained: APEC economies, from the previous experience, know that we should promote investment and development, should create broader, more inclusive liberalization to bring benefits to all countries and all groups.
Speaking about new international relations, Chinese President Xi Jinping said: China will significantly ease access to markets, ensuring that all businesses regardless of country will be treated fairly. China will also promote free trade agreements and pursue RCEP talks. All countries should live in harmony. China will promote partnerships, pursue relationships based on mutual trust, through consultation and consensus.
Addressing APEC leaders and the APEC Business Advisory Council, President Tran Dai Quang stressed the importance of this dialogue, which took place the day before the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting. This is time to find new dynamism to sustain growth; at the same time, to build a new vision for the future of APEC. The President praised and appreciated the practicality of the 20 recommendations that ABAC sent to the APEC Summit, saying that these are all issues that APEC leaders are concerned about.
In the time to come, Vietnam will continue to innovate in a comprehensive and coordinated manner, accelerating the implementation of strategic breakthroughs. Our member economies are committed to accelerating the achievement of the Bogor Goals, with more focus on the sectors of service, investment and solutions to reduce non-tariff barriers. We are committed to creating policies and legal frameworks to create a conducive environment for businesses. The business community needs to make active contribution and together with the APEC Leaders accomplish the task of developing a new vision for the APEC forum in the coming decades. We need to attach importance to perfecting institutions, policies and laws, protecting the environment, expanding the business space, fostering all potentials of enterprises, strengthening the responsibility to implement and upholding the rule of law. In line with the comprehensive reform process, Vietnam continues to deepen the international integration and actively contribute to multilateral mechanisms, the President affirmed.
Story and photo: Anh Phong – Le Thao