On November 20 2004, Li Zhaoxing, accompanying Hu Jintao to attend APEC's 12th informal leadership meeting, met with South Korean Minister of Foreign Affairs Ban Ki-moon and Papua New Guinea Minister of Foreign Affairs Sir Rabbie Namaliu separately.

Li Zhaoxing positively commented the good development momentum of the relationship between China and South Korea and appreciated South Korea's support for China on issues of Taiwan and Tibet. He noted that he has full confidence in the development prospect of the comprehensive partnership between China and South Korea.

Ban Ki-moon said that there are no pending issues between South Korea and China. South Korea adheres to the one-China policy. He hopes that the two countries will enhance exchanges and cooperation and make great efforts to advance the bilateral relationship to a new level.

The two foreign ministers also exchanged in-depth opinions on the Korean peninsular nuclear issue. They agreed on enhancing coordination to push for the process of the six-party talks.

Li Zhaoxing also made it clear that China will actively support South Korea to host the APEC meeting next year.

When Li Zhaoxing met with Sir Rabbie Namaliu, the two foreign ministers expressed satisfaction with the development of bilateral relations. Li Zhaoxing appreciated the Papua New Guinean government's adherence to the one-China policy and its support for China's position on the Taiwan issue in international and regional organizations. He said that China supports the Papua New Guinean government's effort to develop national economy and improve people's life.

Namaliu said that the one-China principle is the consensus of the international community and the Papua New Guinean government firmly pursues the one-China policy. China's support for and help to Papua New Guinea embodies the increasingly deepening relationship between the two countries and brings the Papua New Guinean people tangible benefits. Papua New Guinea is willing to strength cooperation with China and welcomes Chinese enterprises to invest in Papua New Guinea.

On that day, Li Zhaoxing also met with personages from the business community of the United States. He briefed them on China's economic situation and his thoughts on developing China-US relations. He hoped that the US business community would make new contribution to enhancing economic and trade cooperation between China and the United States and promoting the bilateral relations.