Asia-Pacific leaders have ended their annual summit with promises to "redouble their efforts" to liberalize trade and achieve sustainable growth.
The 21-member Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) grouping includes countries and territories with a combined population of more than 3 billion, responsible for more than half of the world's economic output -- from tiny Brunei to China, Japan, and the United States.
Conspicuous at this year's two-day summit in Bali, Indonesia, was the absence of U.S. President Barack Obama, due to the U.S. government shutdown.
Filling in for Obama, Secretary of State John Kerry sought to assure APEC leaders of the continued U.S. commitment to the region.
Next year's summit will be held in China, which is challenging a U.S.-led free-trade initiative.
The planned Trans-Pacific Partnership will involve 11 APEC nations, but leave out China.
The 21-member Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) grouping includes countries and territories with a combined population of more than 3 billion, responsible for more than half of the world's economic output -- from tiny Brunei to China, Japan, and the United States.
Conspicuous at this year's two-day summit in Bali, Indonesia, was the absence of U.S. President Barack Obama, due to the U.S. government shutdown.
Filling in for Obama, Secretary of State John Kerry sought to assure APEC leaders of the continued U.S. commitment to the region.
Next year's summit will be held in China, which is challenging a U.S.-led free-trade initiative.
The planned Trans-Pacific Partnership will involve 11 APEC nations, but leave out China.