Annual Ministerial Meetings of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) will be held in east China's Qingdao City in May.
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Ministers Responsible for Trade Meetings are scheduled on May 17 and 18, in preparation for the Economic Leaders' Meeting with the theme of "Shaping the Future through Asia-Pacific Partnership", Wang Shouwen, Assistant Minister of Commerce, said on Wednesday.
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The annual meetings will focus on regional economic integration, innovative development, reform and economic growth, as well as connectivity and infrastructure development.
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The 22nd APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting will be held in Beijing in November, 13 years after China hosted the 9th APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Shanghai.
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In 2013, trade between China and other APEC members amounted to 2.5 trillion USD or 60% of the country's total trade volume; 69% of China's outbound direct investment went to APEC economies, which also provided 83% of foreign investment.
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Established in 1989, APEC has played a significant role in driving global and regional economic growth. Its 21 members contributed approximately 57% of the world's GDP and 46% of world trade.Â