Against the historic backdrop of Gyeongju, South Korea, Chinese President Xi Jinping outlined a vision for regional unity at the 32nd APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting, emphasizing China's role as a driver of multilateral cooperation and economic stability. The event brought together leaders from 21 APEC members to address shared challenges in trade, sustainability, and innovation.
Economic Reforms Fuel Regional Growth
President Xi reaffirmed China's commitment to high-standard reforms, citing streamlined foreign investment policies and expanded visa-free access as evidence of progress. Trade between China and other APEC economies reached 19.41 trillion yuan ($2.73 trillion) in Q1-Q3 2025, accounting for 57.8% of China's total foreign trade. 'Investing in China means investing in the future,' Xi declared, noting China's 5.5% average annual growth rate since 2020.
Building Bridges Through Innovation
China's APEC Port Network and Green Supply Chain Network have emerged as key platforms for digital and sustainable trade. Recent technological collaborations include smart port systems in Latin America and AI-driven efficiency projects in the Middle East. A CGTN poll revealed 83.2% of Asia-Pacific respondents support regional integration efforts.
The Road Ahead
With China set to host APEC in 2026, Xi proposed five cooperation pillars: strengthening multilateral trade systems, ensuring supply chain resilience, and promoting green digital transitions. 'Win-win cooperation proves to be the right way forward,' he concluded, as APEC members work to maintain the region's 30% contribution to global economic growth.
