China to host APEC meeting in 2026

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China will host the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in 2026, President Xi Jinping said on Saturday.

"We look forward to working with all parties to deepen Asia-Pacific cooperation to the benefit of the peoples in the region," he said.

Xi's statement marks the third time China will host the gathering since APEC's founding in 1989. The previous times were in 2001 and 2014.

"Over the decades, APEC has been instrumental in leading Asia and the Pacific to great success in development, prosperity and connectivity, making the region the most dynamic economy and primary engine of global economic growth," Xi said at the 31st APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Lima.

To advance Asia-Pacific cooperation, China took the initiative to shoulder the responsibility by offering to host APEC in 2026, which was welcomed by APEC members and received their endorsement at this year's APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Saturday.

"China stands ready to enhance communication and cooperation with other parties on hosting APEC in 2026 to jointly implement the Putrajaya Vision 2040, advance the building of an Asia-Pacific community and the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific, deliver more results through practical cooperation and inject fresh impetus into the economic growth of the Asia-Pacific and beyond," said the spokesperson.