国内英语新闻:Chinese president puts forward growth proposal at APEC summit

On Saturday morning, President Hu attended the APEC CEO Summit, at which he delivered a keynote speech on "emerging economies in the Asia-Pacific Region."

Following the first retreat session of the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting, President Hu also attended a dialogue with representatives of the APEC's business advisory body, the APEC Business Advisory Council, and exchanged with them views on an Asia-Pacific free trade zone, growth of small- and medium-sized enterprises, food security and energy security.

APEC is the premier forum for facilitating economic growth, cooperation, trade and investment in the Asia-Pacific region.

Since its birth in 1989, APEC has grown to encompass 21 members, accounting for about 50 percent of the world's gross domestic product and 44 percent of its trade.

The 21 member economies include Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, China, China's Hong Kong, Chinese Taipei, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, the Philippines, Russia, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, the United States and Vietnam.

The annual APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting is the top decision-making organ of the forum. This year's meeting has the theme of "Change and Action."