On October 18, 2003, Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing introduced to reporters about the forthcoming 11th Economic Leaders Meeting after the conclusion of the 15th APEC ministerial meeting. He said that Chinese President Hu Jintao will for the first time attend the APEC Economic Leaders Meeting, scheduled for Oct. 20-21, where he will deliver an important speech and put forward initiatives for cooperation. In addition, President Hu will give a speech at the APEC CEO Summit to introduce the situation of China's economic development and related policies. On the sidelines of the informal leaders' meeting, President Hu will also meet with leaders of other APEC members and exchange views with them on bilateral relations, APEC cooperation and other international and regional issues of common concern.

Li saidthe theme of this year's APEC meeting in Bangkok is "A World of Difference: Partnership for the Future." He believed that with concerted efforts of all parties, the leaders' meeting will help to enhance global and regional cooperation among APEC members, promote the economic development of Asia-Pacific region and lead APEC cooperation in the right direction. This is also what the Chinese side hopes to achieve from the meeting.