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Chinese President Hu Jintao has said that China would host the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting in 2014. "China wishes to take this as an opportunity to deepen cooperation with other APEC members and make fresh and even greater contributions to the development, prosperity and people's well-being in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond," he said. President Hu made the announcement during a speech at the 20th informal economic leaders' meeting of the APEC forum, which opened in this Russian Far Eastern port city Saturday. The APEC economic leaders' meeting, which runs Saturday and Sunday, is focused on the theme of "Integrate to Grow, Innovate to Prosper." Russian President Vladimir Putin presided over the meeting. Hu, in his speech, emphasized China had always placed high importance on the role of APEC and actively participated in its cooperation in various fields and at different levels. "China has made positive contributions to the growth of APEC," Hu said. In a review of APEC's development over the past two decades, Hu said APEC had grown into an "important force" both in terms of global economic governance and regional cooperation. He called for APEC member economies to take stock of APEC's achievements and experience, boost confidence, strive for new progress and reach new heights in regional economic cooperation. In his speech, Hu elaborated on China's propositions on major topics discussed at Saturday's meeting, including trade and investment liberalization, integration of the regional economy and establishment of reliable supply chains.

China to host 2014 APEC economic leaders' meeting