HONOLULU, United States, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- Greater understanding and cooperation between the United States and China on trade issues are needed in the "Pacific Century," according to a local business leader.
Speaking ahead of the 2011 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) leaders'meeting, Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce head James Tollefson told Xinhua Tuesday: "Any difficulties in trade can be improved and alleviated by talking about them, by communicating what the needs of both countries are."
He expressed hope "both governments understand the benefit of improving trade between the two countries, for the benefit of the people of the two countries". He forecast stronger relations between China and the U.S., as he believed the two sides "can work together to accomplish much."
But trade spats have already emerged outside APEC.
The U.S. government is currently considering anti-dumping measures against imports of Chinese solar panels and modules. It also wants to persuade China and other Asia-Pacific countries to agree on regional free trade and an environmental policy at the APEC meetings.
However, Tollefson said he expected greater cooperation and understanding between the two countries when their leaders meet at APEC. He said one of the advantages and one of the purposes of APEC was to talk and find areas of understanding and agreement.
"It's not just China. It's the whole world," he said.
As for the Asia-Pacific region, the chamber chief said this was the "Pacific Century," a century where the focus of the world shifts, "a century where relationships will improve and grow in the Asian-Pacific area."
He thought it was very important so much trade had been conducted between Asia and the United States. "I only see that it will increase over the next many years," he said.
"I think the real future is coming from the Pacific region. And China will play a major role in the new century," he said.
Tollefson said Hawaii would play a bigger role in the new century and the cooperation between East and West.
Hawaii's location in the middle of the Pacific allowed it to communicate in the same day with both New York and Beijing. "We (Hawaii) can be the connection between Asia and the United States," he said.
"We would like to see more Chinese investors and business people come here for potential investment," he said, stressing the clean energy field including solar, wind, wave and geothermal.
"We are open for business. We are open to do business with China," he said.
A series of meetings, including the Leaders' Meeting, the APEC Ministerial Meeting, the APEC Finance Ministerial Meeting, the APEC Business Advisory Council and the APEC CEO Summit, are scheduled for Nov. 8-13 in Honolulu, gathering leaders and officials from the 21 APEC economies.
Source:cntv.cn