Attendees of APEC Leaders' Week laud Xi's keynote speech

Attendees of the APEC Leaders' Week have lauded Chinese President Xi Jinping's keynote speech at the CEO summit, saying his messages reflect the trend of the times and the practical needs of the business community.

Xi Jinping's speech is titled "Seizing the Opportunity of a Global Economy in Transition and Accelerating Development of the Asia-Pacific."

In it, he has presented the concept of China's "new journey" toward a great modern socialist country, as well as the opportunities it creates for the world.

The Chinese president has described the "new journey" as one of deepening reform across the board and unleashing dynamism for development, toward a better life for the people, and toward a new type of international relations and a community with a shared future for mankind.

He has highlighted the China-proposed "Belt and Road" initiative as a way to create new drivers of common development.

Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea Peter O'Neill tells CRI in an exclusive interview that his country has been and will remain an active participant in the "Belt and Road" initiative.

"China is a very important economy for Asia and of course the global community. We will continue to build our own relationship that we have with China. We are part of the 'One Belt One Road' initiative that the Chinese government has started. The continued infrastructure program that has been suggested by the Chinese government is something that we look forward to working with well into the future."

Also in his speech, Xi Jinping says decision makers should uphold multilateralism, pursue shared growth through consultation and collaboration, forge closer partnerships, and build a community with a shared future for mankind.

Do Tien Sam, former head of Chinese studies at the Vietnamese Academy of Social Sciences, says that proposal reflects not just the wishes of the Chinese people but also those of the world.

"We have noticed mentions of the proposal in Xi Jinping's report to the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China. I think the most important components include long-term peace, shared security and prosperity, openness and inclusiveness, as well as a clean and beautiful environment. Those are desired goals of people of all countries. It will be great if all governing parties can set a goal to pursue the wishes of their people."

Additionally, Xi Jinping has called for the building of a free trade area of the Asia-Pacific, saying that such a cooperation framework can help build an open economy in the region and promote trade and investment liberalization and facilitation.

Alexander Bohmer is a representative of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, which is an intergovernmental economic organisation with 35 member countries.

He says Xi Jinping's call reflects the practical interests of companies investing in the Asia Pacific.

"Many of our members have a very close relationship to promote the implementation of the ASEAN economic community blue print, and the master plan on connectivity is another very important project. And our investors benefit a lot because a company can invest in Vietnam, sell its products in Vietnam but also in the Indonesian market, and (they can) move around and (are) not going to have to pay tariffs."

Meanwhile, Xi Jinping has pledged that China will not slow its steps in opening up to the outside world. He also promises that all businesses registered in China will be treated as equals.