Wang Yi, Chinese Minister of Foreign Affairs, also sent a message to the PECC committee, expressing his congratulations and welcome.

Wang noted that the 22nd General Meeting of PECC is held prior to the 22nd APEC?Economic Leaders' Meeting, which "once again testifies the close ties between PECC and APEC, which has my (Wang's) active support."

The theme being discussed this year, "shaping the future through Asia-Pacific partnership" is very important, Wang said in his letter because it stresses such priorities as advancing regional economic integration and promoting innovative development.

PECC plays an irreplaceable role by offering recommendations and undertaking key research for APEC. Thus PECC represents efforts to make preparations for APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Beijing?this November, he wrote.

Wang is "full of expectations" for the meeting and hopes it will be successful to help APEC.