At APEC, Xi vows to open China as Taiwan promotes CPTPP bid

Biden raises U.S. engagement while grouping seeks trade-led COVID recovery

A containership at a port in a Shenzhen free trade zone: APEC's joint statement called trade a "pillar for the development and future prosperity of all our people." © Reuters

KENTARO IWAMOTO, Nikkei staff writer

November 13, 2021 00:52 JST

Updated on November 13, 2021 12:48 JST

SINGAPORE -- Leaders from across the Pacific Rim on Friday vowed to promote free trade and regional economic integration to drive the recovery from COVID-19, against a backdrop of simmering U.S.-China tensions.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Joe Biden both took part in the online annual leaders meeting of the 21-member Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum, with each highlighting his country's contributions of COVID-19 vaccines and commitments to economic cooperation.