Addressing the 32nd Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit hosted virtually from Kuala Lumpur on November 20, Xinhua reported that Chinese President “highlighted promoting openness and inclusiveness, accelerating innovation-driven growth, enhancing regional connectivity, and pushing for mutually beneficial cooperation.” He also called for "The approach of pursuing cooperation as equals and resolving differences with mutual respect is what essentially makes economic development and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific possible.” Xi Jinping also said during the Forum, that China "will favourably consider joining the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership".

(Comment: The TPP was originally conceived as a means of countering China's economic influence. Joining the CPTPP will require China to make some big concessions in areas like SOEs and labour rights and raises the question whether China really the political will for has joining the trade pact.)