Najib Arrives In Beijing For APEC Summit

From Azlina Aziz

BEIJING, Nov 9 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak arrived here Sunday night to attend the two-day 22nd Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting (AELM), starting tomorrow.

The AELM, themed 'Shaping the Future through Asia-Pacific Partnership', will be chaired by President Xi Jinping of China.

Najib, accompanied by his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, touched down at the Beijing Capital International Airport here about 8.20pm local time.

He was met on arrival by Malaysian Ambassador to China Datuk Iskandar Sarudin.

Also present were Minister of International Trade and Industry Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed, Deputy Foreign Minister Datuk Hamzah Zainudin, Prime Minister's Department officials, embassy officials (Chinese side) and representatives from Beijing Municipality.

Najib, who is also Finance Minister, is leading the Malaysian delegation to the summit.

During the 22nd AELM, Najib is scheduled to deliberate on the three priorities of Apec 2014 -- advancing regional economic integration; promoting innovative development, economic reform and growth; and, strengthening comprehensive connectivity and infrastructure development.

Najib is also scheduled to hold meetings with global leaders to discuss bilateral, regional and global issues of mutual interests.

The most important is the meeting with Xi and China's Prime Minister Li Keqiang before the meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Earlier, Iskandar told reporters Najib's meetings with Xi and Li would be the second within months.

The three leaders would take this opportunity to exchange views on bilateral issues, and of special interest, both countries celebrated the 40th year anniversary of diplomatic relations with the visit by Najib to China in May, he said.

"Malaysia's role and leadership next year and the years ahead are important, especially the country would assume the chairmanship of Asean next year and the election of the country as one of the non-permanent members of the United Nations Security Council," he said.

The annual event will bring together economic leaders from the grouping 21 economies to discuss a range of issues, among others strategies for the region's future especially on promoting trade and investment liberalisation, fostering economic integration and facilitating innovative growth.

Apec economies account for 45 per cent of global trade and half of the total gross domestic product.