China has officially commenced its APEC 'China Year' with the conclusion of the first Senior Officials' Meeting in Guangzhou, held from February 1 to 10. The event gathered over 1,400 delegates from APEC member economies to outline a roadmap for advancing regional integration and shared development throughout 2026.
Theme and Strategic Vision
The initiative's theme, 'Building an Asia-Pacific Community To Prosper Together,' received unanimous endorsement from APEC members in December 2025. Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu emphasized its alignment with the vision of a community with a shared future, while Malaysian academic leader Hazami Habib praised its strategic coherence with existing regional action plans.
Three Pillars of Cooperation
China has prioritized openness (combating protectionism through trade liberalization), innovation (driving growth through technological advancement), and cooperation (leveraging member economies' comparative advantages) as key focus areas. These pillars aim to address evolving challenges in supply chain resilience and sustainable development.
2026 Event Roadmap
The calendar features 300 events across China, including ministerial meetings on energy, digital economy, and food security. Key milestones include Shanghai's Senior Officials' Meeting in May and the flagship APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Shenzhen during November 18-19. The latter will coincide with the launch of China's 15th Five-Year Plan, showcasing synergies between national and regional development strategies.
Historical Context
Marking China's third APEC hosting role since 2001 and 2014, this year's logo features 21 interwoven wings symbolizing collective momentum. Analysts anticipate the program will demonstrate how China's modernization drive creates new opportunities for APEC members, particularly in green technology and digital infrastructure.
