Najib holds productive meetings on the sidelines of APEC meetings

The 22nd Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Meeting (AELM) began here today with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak held a series of productive meetings on the sideline of the summit.

The bilateral meetings among others, will include deepening ties with China and Russia, as well as, exploring new and innovative ideas to further enhance cooperation among APEC economies.

The AELM themed, 'Shaping the Future Through Asia-Pacific Partnership', will be chaired by President Xi Jinping of China.

Najib, who is also Finance Minister, kicked off the day with bilateral meeting with Xi, later followed by meetings with Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, C Y Leung and China's Prime Minister Li Keqiang.

Meetings with Xi and Li were considered as the most important as the three leaders would take this opportunity to exchange views on bilateral issues, and of special interest, both countries celebrated the 40th year anniversary of diplomatic relations with the visit by Najib to China in May.

Najib's meetings with Xi and Li would be the second within months.

In the afternoon, the premier will also meet two other heads of economies in the afternoon, namely President of Russia Vladimir Putin and New Zealand Prime Minister John Key.

The two-day AELM, to be attended by Heads of Government of the 21 Pacific Rim member economies, will assume a vital role in promoting trade and investment in the Asia Pacific Region.