In the International Press Center on February 2, 2001, Wu Hailong, Deputy Director-General of the Department of International Organizations and Conference of the Foreign Ministry and APEC Senior Official briefed Chinese and foreign journalists on preparations for the upcoming APEC Meeting 2001 to be sponsored by China and the first Senior Officials' Meeting (SOM) for that matter to be held from February 11 to 19, 2001.

Wu first introduced preparations for the upcoming APEC Meeting to be sponsored by China. He said that the 9th APEC Informal Leadership Meeting, the 13th Joint Foreign and Trade Ministerial Conference and other related meetings to be held in Beijing in 2001 are not only major events for APEC at the beginning of the new century, but also major diplomatic activities on the part of China. Therefore, the Chinese government attaches great importance to and makes a point of ensuring the success of this year's forthcoming APEC Meeting. As the host country, China hopes to, by hosting the APEC Meeting, further promote the APEC process, intensify cooperation among APEC members, join efforts with other countries and regions to head off the challenges posed by globalization and New Economy, step up economic cooperation between China and other APEC members and showcase the achievements that China has scored in its reform and opening-up drive. He noted that preparations are underway in a orderly fashion right now.

In order to make better preparations for the agenda of the upcoming Meeting, China's SOM Chairman and Senior Officials called on some APEC members to hold consultations with them about questions related to this year's upcoming Meeting and listen to their thoughts about the focal point, objective, theme and agenda of the upcoming Meeting. These APEC members seconded China's proposal about the theme and framework agenda of the upcoming Meeting and placed high hopes on China, the host country that under China's auspices, APEC process can register real progress.

Wu also elaborated on the theme and agenda of this year's APEC Meeting. The theme was tentatively set as New Century, New Challenges; Cooperation, Participation and Promoting Common Prosperity. Under such a theme, discussions will be held revolving around the following 3 agendas:
1. Capacity building should be intensified and future development opportunities tapped so that all APEC members can benefit from globalization and the New Economy.
2. Trade and investment should be promoted so that a more rational trade regime can be put in place at an early date.
3. A favorable macro-environment should be created to facilitate the sustainable development of the economy in Asia-Pacific region.
Wu noted that this year's APEC Meeting will also focus its discussion on energy, human resources, trade and investment liberalization, New Economy and dialogue on macro economic policies.

Last but not least, Wu briefed on the first SOM for the 13th Joint Foreign and Trade Ministerial Meeting and other related conferences to be held in Beijing from February 11 to 19, 2001. Vice Foreign Minister and China's SOM Chairman Wang Guangya will preside over these meetings. Senior Officials from 21 APEC economies will hold discussions and reach initial consensus on the arrangements, plan and propositions of APEC in all areas over the whole year. They will also exchange views on globalization, New Economy, trade and investment liberalization, economic and technological cooperation, macro economic dialogue and financial cooperation.