The 16th APEC Trade Ministers’ Meeting was closed on June 6 in Sapporo, trade ministers of the APEC economies were present.

The meeting, with its theme "Change and Action", focused on promoting Doha round talks, opposing trade protectionism, the progress in achieving Bogor Goals, setting the future direction for APEC's work to strengthen regional economic integration (REI), formulating a growth strategy for the region, and promoting human security, etc.

The "Statement of the Chair" and "Statement on Supporting the Multilateral Trading System and Resisting Protectionism" were published. According to the statements, the Asia-Pacific region has become increasingly important in the global economy, and it is necessary to further strengthen REI, and to establish a solid foundation in the region for further prosperity and well-being through long-term, sustainable economic growth. It was proposed on the meeting to continue to explore possible ways to achieve a Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP) , and to take measures in such areas as investment, standards and technical regulations, simplification of rules of origin (ROOs), trade facilitation, intellectual property rights (IPR), environmental goods and services (EGS), and ease of doing business, so as to strengthen REI in the Asia-Pacific region.

In 1994, APEC made the Bogor Goals aiming at promoting trade and investment liberalization and facilitation in the Asia-Pacific, and this year is the target year for the industrialized economies, including Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand and the United States, and at present, APEC is conducting an review to assess the achievement of the Bogor Goals by the "2010 economies", and the meeting participants welcomed the progress made.

Chinese Minister of Commerce Chen Deming and Vice Minister Yi Xiaozhun headed a delegation to the meeting, and participated in discussion of the said issues. Chen Deming also held talks with WTO Director-General Pascal Lamy, Australian Trade Minister Simon Crean, Canadian Minister of International Trade Peter Van Loan, Indonesian Trade Minister Mari Elka Pangestu, and Hong Kong Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Rita Lau Ng Wai-lan.

After the meeting, the trade ministers of APEC economies attended the Press Conference, and accepted an interview by Nikkei Japan.