APEC nations vow to reinvigorate growth

VLADIVOSTOK, Russia — Asia-Pacific nations. including China, theUnited States and Japan. promised measures to boost growth Sunday and rejected limits on food exports to try to revive the flagging global economy.

The 21 members of the Asian-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum ended a two-day summit on an island off the Russian port city of Vladivostok by expressing concern about the state of the world economy, global food security and growing signs of protectionism.

APEC nations also agreed to slash import duties on “green technology,” take steps to bolster growth and liberalize trade to counter problems heightened by Europe’s debt crisis.

“The financial markets remain fragile, while high public deficits and debts in some advanced economies are creating strong headwinds to economic recovery globally. The events in Europe are adversely affecting growth in the region,” they said.

President Hu Jintao promised that China, Asia’s dominant economic force, would rebalance its economy to secure stable and robust growth after a slowdown that has hit the region.

Cooperation in APEC is hindered by territorial and other disputes among some members. Hu and Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda met briefly on the sidelines of the summit. The two nations have been at odds over a group of small islands.

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said she believed Japan and South Korea were ready to tone down a row over another disputed island chain.