Chinese President Xi Jinping joined leaders from across the Asia-Pacific region on Saturday for a ceremonial group photo at the 32nd APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Gyeongju, the Republic of Korea. The gathering marked the first in-person APEC leaders’ meeting since 2018, symbolizing renewed regional collaboration amid global economic uncertainties.
The photo session preceded closed-door discussions focused on sustainable trade practices and digital innovation. APEC members, representing 60% of global GDP, emphasized the need for unified approaches to supply chain resilience and climate-related economic challenges.
President Xi’s participation underscores China’s commitment to multilateral cooperation, particularly in advancing the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific initiative. Analysts note the visual diplomacy reinforces Beijing’s role as a stabilizing force in regional economic governance.
The meeting occurs as APEC economies navigate post-pandemic recovery, with particular attention to green technology partnerships and AI governance frameworks. Outcomes from the discussions are expected to influence investment patterns across Asia’s emerging markets.
