A speech by Chinese President Xi Jinping at the 32nd APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting has garnered praise from experts and officials worldwide, who highlighted that its timely message of upholding multilateralism and free trade increasingly resonates with many countries. Xi attended the first session of the APEC meeting on Friday in Gyeongju, the Republic of Korea (ROK). In his speech at the annual gathering, he called for joint efforts to safeguard the multilateral trading system, build an open economic environment in the region, keep industrial and supply chains stable and smooth, advance the digital and green transformation of trade, and promote universally beneficial and inclusive development. Experts from the ROK expressed strong agreement on the importance of upholding multilateralism and free trade, noting that the country's economy has long benefited from the rules-based multilateral trading system centered on the World Trade Organization. "From the perspective of our country, which is an open economy, the emphasis on free trade and multilateralism is of paramount importance. President Xi Jinping's active advocacy of these principles is highly welcomed by the ROK. Similarly, from a global perspective, instead of confrontation and antagonism, we should pursue win-win cooperation through consultation," said Kong Yoo-sik, a professor at the Graduate School of International and Area Studies at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies. International observers have also noted that China has consistently upheld the principle of win-win cooperation, continually contributing to the development of the Asia-Pacific region and the world at large. "APEC presents the opportunity for keeping an open global trade system, which ensures Chile the chance to explore new markets. China has made remarkable progress in science and technology, trade, energy, and artificial intelligence. We should learn from its experience. The role China plays is what the Chilean people want to see. China's proposal for building a community with a shared future for mankind means that economic development as well as advances in productivity and technology should benefit every person around the world," said Eric Aedo, member of the Chamber of Deputies of Chile, the lower house of the country's Congress. "(Xi's speech carried) themes on longer perspective and the willingness to plan to achieve things over time, and that's where China, I think, can show great leadership. It's about who delivers results that make the world fairer, safer and more stable. And I think China's initiatives help to achieve that," said Thomas Bernes, a researcher for the Center for International Governance Innovation in Canada. The video shows: Gyeongju, ROK - Recent (CCTV - No access Chinese mainland) 1. Various of APEC signs, flag, building Seoul, ROK - Recent (CCTV - No access Chinese mainland) 2. SOUNDBITE (Korean) Kong Yoo-sik, professor, Graduate School of International and Area Studies, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies (partially overlaid with shot 3): "From the perspective of our country, which is an open economy, the emphasis on free trade and multilateralism is of paramount importance. President Xi Jinping's active advocacy of these principles is highly welcomed by the ROK. Similarly, from a global perspective, instead of confrontation and antagonism, we should pursue win-win cooperation through consultation." Gyeongju, ROK - Recent (CCTV - No access Chinese mainland) ++SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE++ 3. Various of APEC banners, sign, traffic ++SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE++ 4. Various of APEC banners, sign reading "APEC Economic Leaders Week" Chile - Recent (CCTV - No access Chinese mainland) 5. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Eric Aedo, member, Chamber of Deputies of Chile (partially overlaid with shot 6): "APEC presents the opportunity for keeping an open global trade system, which ensures Chile the chance to explore new markets. China has made remarkable progress in science and technology, trade, energy, and artificial intelligence. We should learn from its experience. The role China plays is what the Chilean people want to see. China's proposal for building a community with a shared future for mankind means that economic development as well as advances in productivity and technology should benefit every person around the world." ++SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE++ Gyeongju, ROK - Recent (CCTV - No access Chinese mainland) 6. Various of APEC banners, signs, flags, participants ++SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE++ Canada - Recent (CCTV - No access Chinese mainland) 7. SOUNDBITE (English) Thomas Bernes, researcher, Center for International Governance Innovation(ending with shot 8): "(Xi's speech carried) themes on longer perspective and the willingness to plan to achieve things over time, and that's where China, I think, can show great leadership. It's about who delivers results that make the world fairer, safer and more stable. And I think China's initiatives help to achieve that." Gyeongju, ROK - Recent (CCTV - No access Chinese mainland) 8. Various of APEC banners, traffic, flags, meeting venue [Restrictions: No access Chinese mainland]