The ceremony took place at the National Aquatic Center, known as a Water Cube, one of the speculate constructions built in Beijing for the 2008 Olympic Games.

That was the venue chosen by the capital government to offer a welcoming banquet for participants, who wore Chinese shirts or blouses, depending on the sex of the statesmen of this regional economic group founded 25 years ago.

Thousands of people gathered along a kilometer to greet the statesmen and gave way to near thousand dancers wearing costumes interpreting folk dances from several Chinese regions.

President Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan, welcomed each of the leaders attending the Summit, which started Monday with informal exchanges and the participation of leaders in sessions of a meeting with more than 1,500 APEC business people and other 17 nations and regions.

In remarks to that managerial event, Xi explained that the proposed Free Trade Area for Asia- Pacific region is not inconsistent with any of the existing ones that, on the contrary, has been potential pathways to achieve this regional agreement, reported Prensa Latina news agency.

The intention is to strengthen regional integration and define the long-term objectives.(KH)