Joining Hands to Build an Asia Pacific Community and Promote Growth and Prosperity in the Asia Pacific Region (APEC China Year: Open Innovation Cooperation)

China serves as the host of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) in 2026 and will hold the 33rd APEC Leaders' Informal Meeting in Shenzhen in November.

APEC is the highest level, widest range, and most influential economic cooperation mechanism in the Asia Pacific region. As an important member of APEC, China has been actively participating in Asia Pacific cooperation. Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu stated that since the beginning of the new era, General Secretary Xi Jinping has deeply observed the major changes in the world over the past century and the major trends in Asia Pacific development, and has put forward a series of major ideas, initiatives, and proposals. From proposing the establishment of a community with a shared future for the Asia Pacific in 2013, to advocating for a partnership based on mutual trust, inclusiveness, cooperation, and win-win outcomes in 2014, and to systematically elaborating on jointly building an open, inclusive, innovative growth, interconnected, and cooperative community with a shared future for the Asia Pacific in 2020, General Secretary Xi Jinping, with the grand strategic vision of being a leader of a major party and a major country, has led and navigated at every key node of Asia Pacific development, pointing out the correct direction for APEC cooperation.

In today's world, turmoil and turmoil are intertwined, unilateralism and protectionism are on the rise, and the international economic and trade order is facing severe challenges. The Asia Pacific region is facing a choice of where to go, and international cooperation is also facing the test of either advancing or falling behind. Ma Zhaoxu said that in this context, China's hosting of APEC in 2026 has significance far beyond APEC itself and the Asia Pacific region. As a leader in regional cooperation, defender of multilateralism, and main engine of the world economy, China's hosting of the 33rd APEC Leaders' Informal Meeting fully demonstrates the responsibility of a responsible major country. It will not only inject strong impetus into Asia Pacific regional cooperation, but also provide more certainty, stability, and positive energy for global economic growth and international cooperation.

The flag and tone of APEC's "Year of China" are highly concerned and anticipated by the international community. Ma Zhaoxu stated that in November last year, General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized during the APEC host handover that China would host APEC for the third time in 2026. China is willing to take this as an opportunity to work together with all parties to build an Asia Pacific community, promote growth and prosperity in the Asia Pacific region, and focus on promoting practical cooperation such as the Asia Pacific Free Trade Area, connectivity, digital economy, and artificial intelligence, injecting greater vitality and momentum into the development of the Asia Pacific region and benefiting more people in the region. This provides fundamental guidance for the preparation work of the APEC meeting in 2026. The theme of APEC's "Year of China" is "Building an Asia Pacific Community and Promoting Common Prosperity", which is in line with General Secretary Xi Jinping's major concepts of a community with a shared future for mankind, a community with a shared future for neighboring countries, and an Asia Pacific community with a shared future. It also fully aligns with APEC's original intention and vision, and meets the common aspirations of APEC members. Openness, innovation, and cooperation are the three priority areas for APEC's "China Year" - openness is to build an open economy, oppose protectionism, and promote trade and investment liberalization and facilitation; Innovation is to adhere to innovation driven, develop new quality productive forces, and create new growth points for APEC cooperation; Cooperation is to explore the comparative advantages of APEC members, carry out policy docking and experience sharing, and achieve win-win cooperation.

Chen Xu, Chairman of the 2026 APEC Senior Officials' Meeting, stated that at the informal senior officials' meeting held in December last year, all APEC members unanimously agreed with the theme and priority areas proposed by China for the 2026 APEC meeting. APEC members believe that this design is in line with the development situation of the world and the Asia Pacific region, meets the development needs of all members, and are willing to actively participate in the cooperation of the "China Year" to promote APEC to a new level.

Chen Xu said that China has been actively participating in pragmatic cooperation in various fields under the APEC framework, and working together with all parties to build an open Asia Pacific economy. In 2001 and 2014, China served as the host of APEC twice, respectively promoting the adoption of the Shanghai Consensus and the Beijing Platform, leaving a strong Chinese mark in the history of APEC and making important contributions to promoting regional integration in the Asia Pacific region.

Chen Xu stated that this year is China's third time hosting APEC, and the Leaders' Meeting Week will be held in Shenzhen in November. During the event, activities such as the Foreign and Trade Ministers' Meeting and the Business Leaders' Summit will be held, with the informal leaders' meeting reaching its climax. About 300 events, including high-level officials' meetings and ministerial meetings, will be held throughout the year. At present, preparations for the 2026 APEC meeting have been fully launched, and all work is progressing smoothly. I believe that with the joint efforts of all parties, the APEC "Year of China" will surely achieve fruitful results.