Leaders pledge to 'keep our markets open'

Xi says FTAAP will promote economy of Asia-Pacific region to a new level

Leaders of 21 Asia-Pacific economies ended their annual meeting with a joint pledge to resist protectionism amid signs of increased free-trade skepticism.

The meeting of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation organization, which accounts for 57 percent of the world economy, led to a joint statement on Sunday that asked to work toward adoption of the broader Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific, a 21-economy pact that is favored by China.