Chinese President Xi Jinping called for building a framework of connectivity across the Asia-Pacific region through a four-point proposal at APEC economic leaders' informal meeting on October 8 in Bali.

First, APEC economies should establish a connectivity network covering the whole Asia Pacific, so as to help bolster the construction of economic corridors in various sub-regions and foster a vast Asia-Pacific market covering 21 economies and 2.8 billion people. Efforts should be made to secure the free flow of production materials in the region and steadily enhance the coordinated development among Asia-Pacific members in order to achieve regional integration.

Second, APEC economies should remove the bottlenecks barring connectivity, and establish investment and financing partnerships with extensive participation from governments, private sectors, and international institutions. China stands ready to explore and expand investment and financing channels for infrastructure construction and proposes the establishment of an Asian infrastructure investment bank.

Third, APEC members should promote connectivity and infrastructure construction within the framework of regional and international cooperation. All members should enhance communication and actively participate in cooperation in the spirit of mutual benefit, complementary advantages, and adhering to the principle of open, transparent, and win-win cooperation.

Fourth, APEC members should take advantage of connectivity to help people in the Asia-Pacific region establish closer links in economy and trade, finance, education, science and culture, and enhance mutual understanding and trust.

(Source: Xinhua News Agency)