The Philippines hosted Apec for one year, which started in December 2014 until the Apec Economic Leaders’ Meeting that took place on November 18-19.
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“We strongly condemn all acts, methods and practices of terrorism in all their forms and manifestations”, the leaders, which included Obama and Chinese president Xi Jinping, said in an end-of-summit declaration. The Islamic State extremist group claimed responsibility for all three attacks.
In their statement, the Apec leaders pressed for the “eventual realisation” of the China-backed Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific, and “pathways” to it, including the US-initiated Trans-Pacific Partnership, and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership.
Linking terrorism to the economy, the leaders said: “Economic growth, prosperity, and opportunity are among the most powerful tools to address the root causes of terrorism and radicalization”.
The protesters carry banners that read “Junk APEC” and “Down with the Puppet U.S.-Aquino Regime”.
APEC has its detractors, and anti-globalization protesters clashed with police near heavily guarded summit venues, despite rigorous security restrictions that closed major downtown thoroughfares to all but official vehicles.
Also on Thursday, Xi spoke about new development engines for the economy across the region.
China’s claim to much of the sea has pitted it against some other APEC members that also claim parts of it, including the host of this year’s APEC forum, the Philippines, one of the most vocal opponents of Chinese territorial ambitions.
The surprise move is widely seen as Beijing’s latest attempt to boost its exports at a time when the world’s second-largest economy is struggling with its worst slowdown in more than two decades.
President Barack Obama on Wednesday said the U.S. government has a “rock solid commitment to the defense of the Philippines” as the validity of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) hangs before the Supreme Court (SC).
Matt Ferchen, a resident scholar at the Carnegie-Tsinghua Centre for Global Policy in Beijing said: “Geopolitically, and especially in terms of USA versus China influence in the Asia Pacific, the TPP deal is important because it is the most tangible economic element of America’s “pivot” towards Asia”.
Amid a backdrop of “multiple challenges” that could lead to disorderly capital flow and weak investment, President Xi invited APEC member economies to join the Free Trade Area of the Asia Pacific (FTAAP), which he said offers a “win-win situation” for countries in the Pacific Rim. Mr Trud-eau, who has vowed to pull out Canada’s fighter jets from Iraq and Syria, said his country would remain “a strong member of the coalition” against ISIS.
Earlier this week, Mr. Obama said the USA would provide two ships to the Philippine Navy, adding to the numerous ships and aircraft already sold or donated to Manila in recent years.
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But the TPP faces stiff opposition from both Democrats and Republicans over farm tariffs and protection for pharmaceuticals, and is unlikely to be voted on by the US Congress before Mr Obama leaves office.
