Sound bites

It is really a big event. A lot of economic leaders, including presidents of the major countries in the Asia-Pacific area. They are arriving in Beijing to discuss topics, wide and important for economic development, to overcome the consequences of the monetary and financial crisis in the region.

The fact that this meeting is convened in Beijing is significant for at least two key reasons. First, China is one of the biggest economies in the world. ... No doubt the economic growth in China is the most dynamic, not only here in Asia-Pacific region but also the world.

The second reason is related to the initiatives being suggested by China, developed by other economies during the preparatory meetings and conferences, which are going to be raised in the Beijing Declaration, which I hope will be a kind of landmark of economic development of the Asia-Pacific region in the 21st century.