Yokohama Declaration looks to Asia-Pacific free Trade Area

The final wish of the Future Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Organization 18th informal meeting of leaders 14th in Yokohama, Japan closed.　　The delegates issued the declaration of leaders, also known as the "Yokohama Declaration", to continue to promote regional economic integration process, and effectively promote the establishment of the Asia-Pacific free Trade area. This year is the 1994 set of "Bogor target" first phase of the standard year.　　The Yokohama Declaration acknowledged that 5 developed members, such as APEC, the United States and Japan, failed to meet the targets this year.　　"Ideal becomes reality" the representatives of APEC 21 members held a meeting in Yokohama, Japan's port city, from 13th to 14th, to discuss in-depth discussions on the theme of "Change and action" and jointly issued the "Yokohama Declaration".　　The manifesto says members of the organization are determined to work together to regain the momentum of economic growth as the world economy recovers hard. "We remain committed to keeping the market open," the manifesto said, "and we reaffirm our common resolve to support recovery with cooperation and coordination." "Talking about the Asia-Pacific free Trade Area," the declaration said: "We have agreed that it is time to transform the Asia-Pacific free trade area from ideal into a more realistic vision." "We ask APEC to take concrete measures to achieve the Asia-Pacific free trade zone." This is the main vehicle to further promote the economic integration process in the Asia-Pacific region.　　"The participants considered that the agreement on a free-trade zone should not be too restrictive and must be" broad, high-quality, shaped and committed to the ' next generation ' trade and investment.　　The meeting also published the 3 outcome documents of the leaders ' political statement on the review of Bogor objectives, the leadership growth strategy and the possible path to establishing an Asia-Pacific free Trade area.　　Anti-protectionism against trade protectionism has become another theme of the Yokohama Conference. Speaking at the second phase of the meeting 14th, Chinese President Hu Jintao pointed out that the economic development of the Asia-Pacific region also faces some difficulties and challenges, the employment situation in the developed countries is grim, the emerging market countries are facing asset price bubbles and inflationary pressures, the least developed countries are in a difficult position and the economic restructuring of　　In addition, various forms of protectionism have increased markedly.　　"The Yokohama Declaration" said APEC welcomes the outcome of the meeting of the group of 20 Seoul leaders and will continue to promote a stronger and more resilient global financial system against trade protectionism.　　The participants considered that overall, tariffs between regional economies were significantly reduced, but tariffs in various areas were not consistent. The Declaration acknowledges that there are still varying degrees of restrictions on investment in the region, "the impact of Non-tariff measures (in the region) on trade and investment flows is significant."　　Clearly, more progress is needed in the region. Recognition of Non-compliance this year is the "Bogor target" the first standard year.　　The Yokohama Declaration acknowledged that 5 developed members had not reached the target. The declaration said: "It is fair to say that the economies that should be able to meet the targets in 2010 still have a way to achieve regional free and open trade." During the 1994 informal meeting of Indonesia's APEC leaders, the participants presented their efforts to achieve the Asia-Pacific"Bogor objectives" of trade and investment liberalization in the region: by 2010, APEC developed members should liberalize trade and investment and, by 2020, developing members should achieve that goal.　　This year, 5 developed members from Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand and the United States are subject to review, while 8 members from Chile, South Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, Peru, Singapore, Hong Kong, China and Taipei, China, are voluntarily reviewed. "APEC continues to face challenges in pursuing free and open trade and investment," the declaration said, "and APEC will continue to review the progress made by economies towards the Bogor goals." "蒋骢骁 (Xinhua newspaper feature)