APEC expected to push WTO talks

cctv.com 10-20-2003 09:26

The 11th APEC leaders' informal summit is due to begin in just a few hours. Leaders of the economic forum's twenty-one members are gathered in the Thai capital of Bangkok. The summit comes a month after the latest round of WTO talks collapsed in the Mexican city of Cancun. How will the failure of the Cancun talks affect the APEC summit and what can we expect from the meeting?

Arriving in Bangkok, leaders of the economic forum's 21 members appeared buoyant.

In the one year since they last met in Mexico, the global economy has begun to show signs of recovery. Leading the tide are East Asian nations.

But the failed WTO talks in Cancun last month have obviously cast a shadow over the two-day summit.

Deputy Chief of Asia-Pacific Studies Institute, CASS Chai Yu said: "Because APEC has the WTO consistency, the process of WTO negotiations will have a great bearing on the progress of APEC."

The Cancun mishap is expected to adversely affect the Bangkok agenda. But experts believe APEC's unique working style could generate new momentum for the stalled WTO negotiations.

Former senior APEC official Wang Yusheng: "Working in a spirit of community has long been APEC's foundation and basic principle. I think the leaders will reach consensus on some of the major topics based on that principle. The summit will send a positive signal to WTO, calling for the quick start of the next round of talks."

However APEC is facing challenges other than trade. Countering terrorism is sure to be a focal point. Despite an intensified global campaign against terror, its perpetrators remain elusive and active, two years after 9/11.

Here the APEC spirit of community is likely to be tested. Forum members might agree on the goal of eliminating terrorism. But they are divided on the way to achieve this.

Wang Yusheng also said: "Unilateralism has been having its way. Developed and developing countries still have different views about the best way to combat terrorism. So it will be hard to find consensus."

However, differences are not likely to prevent the leaders from showing amity. The theme of the summit is building partnership. And that is what these leaders have gathered here to achieve.

Editor:Su  Source:CCTV.com