Chinese President Hu Jintao and other leaders of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) member economies met for the second and final day on Sunday for their annual meeting, focusing on "sustaining growth."

The theme for this year's APEC meeting is "Sustaining Growth, Connecting the Region," reflecting APEC's continuing efforts to facilitate trade and investment in the region.

During their two-day meeting, the APEC leaders focused on countering international financial crisis, climate change, opposing trade protectionism, supporting multilateral trading regime, furthering regional economic integration and the APEC's future.

The Chinese president, speaking at second-day session on Sunday, expounded China's view on promoting sustainable development.

In his remarks, Hu said China needs an international development environment featuring peace, stability, harmony and cooperation.

"China is ready to contribute its share to the building of suchan environment. China will work with the rest of the international community to meet the challenges together and seek inclusive, sustainable and balanced economic growth," Hu told leaders of other APEC member economies.

Making four-point proposal on sustainable development

At present, the profound impact of the international financial crisis still persists and the foundation is not yet solid for the world economic upturn, Hu said.

Trade and investment protectionism of various forms has noticeably risen. the intrinsic problems in the world economic system are yet to be solved and the effort to fully restore world economic growth is beset with uncertainties and destabilizing factors, he added.

In addition, the Doha Round negotiations have been fraught with difficulties and twists and turns, and global issues such as climate change, food security, energy and resource security, public health security and major natural disasters have become more pronounced. "These are all daunting challenges to the full recovery and long-term growth of the world economy, including in the Asia-Pacific region," he said.

At this critical juncture, "we should all the more get united, follow the principle of openness, cooperation and mutual benefit, strengthen coordination and work together to secure the momentum of world economic recovery and promote balanced and orderly economic growth," said the Chinese president.

Hu also made the following four-point proposal on sustainable development:

-- Make unremitting efforts to fully restore world economic growth;

-- Take a long-term perspective and promote sustainable growth;

-- Follow a holistic approach and advocate inclusive growth;

-- And engage in comprehensive coordination and pursue balanced growth.

(Xinhua News Agency November 15, 2009)