Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Liu Jianchao announces:

Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi and Minister of Commerce Bo Xilai will head a delegation to attend the 19th APEC Ministerial meeting in Sydney, Australia, making preparation for the 15th APEC Leaders' Informal Meeting.

APEC is a significant economic cooperation forum in the Asia-Pacific region with 21 members. With the purpose of strengthening multilateral trading system and eliminating regional trade barriers, APEC plays an active role in enhancing the liberalization, facilitation of regional trade and investment, bolstering economic and technological cooperation and promoting the economic development in the Asia-Pacific region.

The 19th Ministerial Meeting will focus its discussions on issues including contributing to the WTO Doha Round trade talks, regional economic integration, trade investment, economic and technological cooperation, security, anti-corruption, restructuring and APEC reforms.