The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) member economies have decided to approve a roadmap for APEC's contribution to the realization of the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP), marking the official launch of the FTAAP process, Chinese President Xi Jinping said here Tuesday.

The move was "a historic step we took in the direction towards realizing the FTAAP," he made the remarks at a press conference after the conclusion of the 22nd APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting.

"It demonstrated the confidence and determination of the APEC in advancing regional economic integration, and it was a decision that will be written into history books," he said.