This meeting will include thorough discussions and agreements are expected to be reached on some key issues and priorities proposed by China, a host again after 13 years. The ongoing meetings will lay the foundation for the leaders summit in the autumn.

China is an important propellant for regional trade and investment liberalization and facilitation and plays a key role in Asia-Pacific economic cooperation. Other APEC economies are willing to strengthen economic ties with China to benefit from its growth and huge market. The meeting is expected to provide support for enhancing cooperation and developing consensus. I hope agreements will be reached on crucial and pragmatic cooperation regarding the new features and characteristics of the Asia-Pacific economic cooperation. I particularly hope ministers will reach agreements on major topics and priorities proposed by China.

I also expect agreements on the feasibility study of the FTAAP roadmap and timetable, building an information communication mechanism regarding regional trade and outlining the priorities of the next generation trade and investment issues.

Zhang Jianping, a researcher at the Institute for International Economic Research at the National Development and Reform Commission

China's three proposals will set a milestone in the APEC's development. Its proposal for the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific, or FTAAP, will promote investment liberalization; its promotion of innovation and economic development will gain power from the reforms on home turf, including the emphasis on green growth and a blue economy; and the proposal to increase comprehensive connectivity and infrastructure will facilitate the region's trade and investment as well as increase China's investment in and exports to developing economies.

The biggest highlight of the ongoing APEC meetings in Qingdao was China's proposal for advancing the FTAAP. It has strategic significance as it will provide possibilities for the convergence of the current mega FTAs in the Asia-Pacific region.

The forum will be very productive if a parallel breakthrough can be made in all three priorities, though the long-term development of the FTAAP may be challenging.

Sheng Bin, director of China APEC Academy at Nankai University in Tianjin

The economies' consensus on the theme and establishing partnerships were agreed at a series of APEC meetings. After discussing topics including cooperation, labor and future growth room, from the perspective of partnerships and global value chains, agreements were reached to promote global value chain development and supply chain connectivity through the e-port model.

This shows the host's efforts to advance Asia-Pacific integration with a new mindset and global perspective. Instead of seeking interest exchange, developed and developing economies are pursuing common interests.

I expect significant progress in advancing regional economic integration, especially the FTAAP. The foundations can then be laid to build an Asia-Pacific common market in the next 20 years.

Yao Weiqun, associate president of the Shanghai WTO Affairs Consultation Center

(China Daily 05/17/2014 page12)