Apec talks end with call for stronger trade ties
Apec leaders wrapped up their annual meeting in Bangkok on Saturday, saying in a post-summit declaration that they will uphold and further strengthen a rules-based multilateral trading system.  Leaders of the twenty-one-strong bloc said they recognised that more intensive efforts are needed to address challenges like rising inflation, food security, climate change and natural disasters Their statement also said "most" of the leaders strongly condemned the war in Ukraine, stressing that it is causing immense human suffering and exacerbating existing fragilities in the global economy. However, the leaders noted that there were "other views and different assessments of the situation", adding that Apec is not the forum to resolve security issues.  Thai Prime Minister and Apec chair Prayuth Chan-ocha said the leaders had made "significant progress" by agreeing a multi-year work plan for a Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific Meanwhile state media reported that President Xi Jinping had said at the summit that free and open trade and investment are the purposes and principles of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation. He called for regional cooperation to promote prosperity. Earlier, Xi had a brief meeting with the US vice-president, Kamala Harris. State media said the two agreed on the importance of maintaining communication.  Harris also announced that next year's Apec leaders' meeting would take place in her hometown, San Francisco. (RTHK/Reuters)