The APEC 2008 CEO Summit kicked off in the Peruvian capital on Friday to address growth, free trade, sustainable development , APEC's relationship with the global economy and other issues.

Some 1,200 participants were expected to attend the two-day event, part of the on-going Leaders' Week of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum on November 16-23.

Peruvian President Alan Garcia and Chairman of the APEC 2008 CEO Summit Jose Miguel Morales co-opened the meeting, held at the Convention Center of the Defense Ministry.

Chinese President Hu Jintao will deliver a key-note speech entitled "China's Quest for Sustainable Development" during the first day of the gathering.

US President George W. Bush, Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, South Korean President Lee Myung-Bak, Mexican President Felipe Calderon and Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper are also expected to address the summit.

(Xinhua News Agency November 21, 2008)