As leaders from 21 APEC member economies gather in Gyeongju, the Republic of Korea, this week, a fresh voice emerges from the sidelines: Kyle Sykes, a young American who studied in China, is calling for a shift from geopolitical competition to collaborative innovation between the world's two largest economies.
The 32nd APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting, themed 'Building a Sustainable Tomorrow – Connect, Innovate, Prosper,' coincides with CGTN's 'Act To Action' campaign amplifying youth perspectives on global governance. Sykes, participating in the initiative, shared his firsthand experiences bridging cultural and academic divides. 'Living in China showed me how much both nations contribute to technological advancement and climate solutions,' he remarked.
His appeal comes as Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Donald Trump met in Busan ahead of the summit, reigniting discussions about bilateral cooperation. Sykes emphasized: 'From AI development to green energy, our countries could redefine progress by pooling resources rather than prioritizing rivalry.'
APEC members account for nearly 40% of the global population and over 60% of GDP, making this year's focus on sustainable connectivity particularly consequential. Analysts suggest youth-led initiatives like Sykes' reflect growing demand for pragmatic dialogue amid complex U.S.-China relations.
