President Xi Jinping on Friday said China would consider hosting the third Belt & Road Forum for International Cooperation next year, which would be the first staging of the event since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Belt & Road is Xi's signature infrastructure investment initiative, and previous editions of the forum, in 2017 and 2019, drew leaders and officials from dozens of countries.

Addressing the 28th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) Economic Leaders' Meeting in Bangkok, the president also said China would further open up its economy across more areas and in greater depth, and continue to share its development opportunities with the world – particularly with the Asia-Pacific region.

"We need to make sure that development is for the people and by the people, and that its fruits are shared among the people, and we should promote prosperity for all in the Asia-Pacific," he said.

Xi also stressed that the Asia-Pacific ‘family’ must look after one another like passengers in the same boat, and called for peace and stability in the region. He added that mutual respect, cooperation and consultation are crucial in handling any issues that arise. (Agencies)