China makes a pitch for free trade area of the Asia-Pacific

The 21 leaders of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) share the same sentiment as G20 leaders in combating terrorism comprehensively as besides the loss of lives, such heinous acts have serious economic and business implications.

In their statement, the Apec leaders pressed for the “eventual realisation” of the China-backed Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific, and “pathways” to it, including the US-initiated Trans-Pacific Partnership, and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership.

Amid a backdrop of “multiple challenges” that could lead to disorderly capital flow and weak investment, President Xi invited APEC member economies to join the Free Trade Area of the Asia Pacific (FTAAP), which he said offers a “win-win situation” for countries in the Pacific Rim.

“We need to encourage equal footing participation and extensive consultation and make free trade arrangements open and inclusive to the extent possible”, Xi said in a speech Wednesday.

Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, Jr. of Quezon City said China is already feeling the pressure despite the exclusion of the issue from the APEC agenda, given the tough stance shown by President Aquino, as well as US President Barack Obama and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. “Economic growth, prosperity, and opportunity are the strongest tools to address the root causes of terrorism and radicalization”. “They say they are the ones who are meant to be helped”.

Mr. Obama and leaders of Southeast Asia’s nations attending the Manila trade talks will proceed to Malaysia for another regional summit.

The police reportedly deployed a few 30,000 troops in Manila ahead of the summit, in anticipation of local pushback.

Police used water cannons and canes against the crowd, which eventually dispersed.

This week US President Barack H. Obama has sought to bolster allies locked in a territorial row with China over the South China Sea, which is home to a few of the world’s most important shipping lanes.

During Thursday’s sessions, Chinese President Xi Jinping urged APEC members to enhance “win-win cooperation” and boost world economic growth.

Asked what message he would send to the leaders meeting in a heavily guarded convention center, Sumaya says: “We need a small house that can’t be taken from us and any job for an old man like me”.

About two hundred protesters trying to march on the venues for APEC meetings are blocked by riot police.

No mention was made of the South China Sea territorial dispute, which the ministers have also avoided, even as it was pointed out that more than half of the world’s annual merchant fleet tonnage and a third of all maritime traffic worldwide pass through it.

During the sidelines of APEC Leaders’ Meeting, the Philippine government through President Benigno Aquino III and his Cabinet was able to seal deals on military modernization, trade, strategic partnerships, cooperation in risk reduction, transportation, tourism, technical vocational training, health, anti-illegal drugs drive, avoidance of taxation and support for the overseas Filipino workers, among others with various APEC economy members.