Beijing's successful agenda-setting

Outcomes from the weeklong APEC gathering are clear evidence that China is capable of guiding interconnectivity in the region

The 2014 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Economic Leaders' Week in Beijing came toward an end with the completion of the two-day Economic Leaders' Meeting on Tuesday evening. Not since the first APEC leaders' meeting in Seattle 21 years ago, has such an APEC conference been as fruitful.

That is not an exaggeration. Apart from the traditional business forums, ministerial meetings and cultural performances, the online buzzword "APEC blue", a sarcastic comment on Beijing's uncommonly blue sky over the past week, was even cited by President Xi Jinping in his speech at a welcome dinner for the APEC leaders on Monday. Xi's pledge to make APEC blue days common shows China's resolve to balance its economic development with environmental protection.