Promote pragmatic cooperation and promote common development

The 32nd Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders' Informal Meeting recently came to an end, with China taking over as the host, ushering in the highly anticipated "China Year" of APEC. International individuals interviewed by our reporter are full of expectations for China leading the new journey of Asia Pacific cooperation in 2026. They have called on all economies to adhere to open development, mutual benefit and win-win cooperation, promote practical cooperation such as the Asia Pacific Free Trade Area and connectivity, jointly expand the cake of Asia Pacific cooperation, and work together to build an Asia Pacific community.

Li Guihao, Chairman of the APEC Business Advisory Council in 2025——

Provide new opportunities for expanding economic and trade space in the Asia Pacific region

Our reporter Zhang Zhiwen

Over the past 30 years since its establishment, the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) has played an important role in promoting inclusive growth in the region and maintaining a free and open trade order. Through this platform, member economies continue to enhance mutual trust, strengthen supply chain resilience, and promote digital transformation, "said Lee Ky ho, Chairman of the APEC Business Advisory Council in 2025 and Vice Chairman of the Koron Group in South Korea.

In the face of global challenges such as climate change and accelerated aging, Li Guihao stated that APEC should adhere to trust based multilateral cooperation, establish common standards for digital transformation and artificial intelligence innovation, and increase investment in green infrastructure and other fields.

Li Guihao highly praised China's global governance initiative, believing that it reflects China's determination to work together with all parties to jointly address global challenges. He said that at the 2014 Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting held in Beijing, China hosted the "Strengthening Connectivity Partnership" host partner dialogue and other agendas, which are still of great significance to this day. In 2026, China will host the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting, and we look forward to China injecting new momentum into Asia Pacific cooperation in areas such as digital economy, green transformation, and supply chain resilience

"The speed of China's urban development, the application of innovative technologies and the Chinese people's spirit of struggle are impressive." Li Guihao said that during the "14th Five Year Plan" period, China has made remarkable achievements in advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence, biotechnology, green industries and other fields. China's digital infrastructure and entrepreneurial ecosystem rank among the world's leading. "China's future development potential is huge, and Chinese path to modernization provides new opportunities for Asia Pacific to expand economic and trade space.".

By strengthening cooperation in areas such as clean energy, biomedicine, and 'artificial intelligence+', the strategic partnership between South Korea and China will surely move towards a higher level and better benefit the people of both countries. Li Guihao stated that maintaining the stability of the global industrial and supply chains is in the common interests of both sides, and South Korean companies can leverage China's market, technology, and policy advantages to build a mutually beneficial and innovative cooperation model. Kelon Group will continue to cooperate with innovative enterprises in China.

Julia Torreblanca, Peruvian representative of the APEC Business Advisory Council——

Continue to lead the correct direction of global development

Our reporter Zhang Zhiwen

The Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) continues to promote regional cooperation and encourage open, interconnected, and resilient economies in the Asia Pacific region. Julia Torreblanca, the representative of Peru on the APEC Business Advisory Council, stated that with the help of the APEC platform, economies can advance trade facilitation and enhance their digital and logistics capabilities. A series of measures are being taken to help import and export enterprises, especially small and medium-sized enterprises, in various economies better integrate into regional and global industrial chains, supply chains, and value chains, create high-quality employment opportunities, and promote inclusive growth.

Torreblanca served as the Chairman of the APEC Business Advisory Council for 2024. She believes that the role of APEC as a constructive dialogue platform is more important than ever before. "True progress comes from cooperation rather than isolation, and we must return to the path of openness, dialogue, and trust," Torreblanca said. "The Asia Pacific region will continue to be the engine of global growth, and APEC will continue to lead the right direction for global development

In 2014, Torreblanca went to Beijing to attend the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting. She said that at that meeting, China, as the host, promoted the approval of the "Beijing Roadmap for APEC to Promote the Implementation of the Asia Pacific Free Trade Area", laying the foundation for deepening regional economic integration. In 2016, Peru hosted the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting and promoted the adoption of the Lima Declaration on the Asia Pacific Free Trade Area, reaffirming the importance of the Free Trade Area for the long-term development of the Asia Pacific region and making comprehensive plans for its promotion. In 2026, China will host the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) for the third time. I believe that China will uphold the same spirit of cooperation and foresight, and further strengthen APEC cooperation

China continues to play a constructive and forward-looking role in the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), promoting the development and progress of the region in areas such as digital trade, green industries, and connectivity. "Torreblanca emphasized that China's hosting of the APEC meeting in 2026 is crucial for the Asia Pacific region, and" we will reaffirm our joint commitment to free trade, openness, and stability.

Torebranca was impressed by China's development achievements and economic vitality. "China's development achievements in infrastructure, logistics, energy and other fields are obvious to all, and its unprecedented feat of lifting hundreds of millions of people out of poverty. Chinese path to modernization provides valuable lessons for other economies."

Dorothea Lopez, Dean of the School of International Relations at the University of Chile——

Open cooperation is the right path to prosperity

Our reporter Song Yiran

Currently, open cooperation is more important than ever. The Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) provides a platform for members to engage in dialogue and take joint action, which is worth cherishing by all parties. Dorothea Lopez, Dean of the School of International Relations at the University of Chile, has long been engaged in international political and economic research and has a deep observation of Asia Pacific cooperation. She stated that since its establishment over 30 years ago, APEC has always been an important platform for promoting economic integration and trade liberalization, playing an irreplaceable role in promoting open cooperation.

The global economic situation is complex and changing, and protectionism is on the rise. The open regionalism and spirit of win-win cooperation upheld by the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) have important practical significance. It provides a platform for policy coordination among members, and injects confidence into promoting global economic recovery and maintaining multilateral cooperation. Lopez believes that with the accelerated evolution of the international economic landscape, APEC has developed from an early focus on trade and investment liberalization and facilitation to a cooperation platform covering digitalization, sustainable development, green innovation and other fields. "Members jointly explore solutions and enhance economic resilience

Lopez stated that since joining the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), China has always firmly supported multilateralism, upheld free trade, actively participated in discussions on various issues, and made important contributions to the stable development of the organization. China has put forward a pragmatic cooperation concept, built communication bridges, and promoted consensus among all parties to share development achievements. Lopez believes that China has played a constructive role in promoting regional coordination and cooperation, maintaining supply chain stability, and adding confidence and momentum to the Asia Pacific and even global economy.

Lopez believes that China's initiative to jointly build the "the Belt and Road" and the global development initiative, the global security initiative, the global civilization initiative, and the global governance initiative are consistent with APEC's philosophy of openness, cooperation, mutual benefit and win-win results. "These initiatives add new vitality to international cooperation and provide new opportunities for inclusive and sustainable growth in the Asia Pacific region." Lopez said that the prospects of APEC depend on its ability to deal with economic fragmentation, and whether major economies can build consensus and resolve differences through cooperation. "Open cooperation is the right path to prosperity, and China plays a key role in promoting and facilitating relevant cooperation."

Former Chairman of Brunei Economic Development Authority, Wang Dewang——

Multilateralism is an effective way to promote stable development

Our reporter Zhang Zhiwen

Asia Pacific cooperation is at a critical crossroads, and next year China will host the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) for the third time, which is of great significance, "said Wang Dewang, former chairman of Brunei's Economic Development Bureau, looking forward to participating in related activities in China again." China firmly upholds multilateralism and the free trade system, and has achieved remarkable development achievements. We believe this will lay a solid foundation for China to successfully host the APEC meeting

Wang Dewang served as the Chairman of the APEC Business Advisory Council in 2000 and attended the APEC Business Leaders' Summits hosted by China in 2001 and 2014. At the 2014 APEC Business Leaders Summit, I chaired discussions on Asia Pacific economic integration and deeply felt China's firm commitment to practicing multilateralism. He said that in today's highly interdependent world, Asia Pacific economies generally expect APEC to play a leading role, effectively coordinate the interests of all parties, and jointly promote regional and global prosperity.

Wang Dewang stated that since its establishment, the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) has played an important role in promoting regional trade and investment liberalization and facilitation, providing a dialogue platform for member economies and promoting win-win regional cooperation. APEC adheres to open regionalism and is committed to promoting mutually beneficial economic and trade cooperation, providing an effective path for developed and developing economies to achieve development and prosperity.

At a time when global trade growth is hindered and uncertainty is increasing, the proposal of global governance initiatives is of great significance, "said Wang Dewang. The global governance initiative regards multilateralism as one of its core concepts, which not only conforms to the purpose of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation, but also points out the direction for peace and sustainable development in the Asia Pacific region and even the world." In the face of a turbulent world, we must remember that multilateralism is an effective way to promote stable development

Yusuf Vanandi, co-founder of the Indonesian Center for Strategic and International Studies——

Promote regional connectivity through practical actions

Our reporter Cao Shiyun

The Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) is an inclusive platform for regional economies to consult on a common agenda, "said Yusuf Vanandi, co-founder of the Indonesian Center for Strategic and International Studies. The Asia Pacific region is a global manufacturing hub that gathers multiple major trading countries. Technological innovation and digital transformation have become new engines driving economic growth in the Asia Pacific region. "All parties should follow the trend of emerging industry development, seek more common interests in key technology applications, and provide more public goods for the region and the world

The Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) should continue to be an important force in maintaining free trade and multilateral cooperation, "said Vanandi. Against the backdrop of rising protectionism, the role of APEC has become increasingly important. Only by adhering to openness and inclusiveness can member economies seize opportunities and be more resilient in dealing with global risks and challenges.

Recalling the 2014 Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders' Informal Meeting held in Beijing, Vanuatu, who was then the Co Chair of the Pacific Economic Cooperation Council, was deeply impressed. He said that the visit made the Indonesian delegation feel China's development achievements and leadership. "With its huge market potential and strong industrial capacity, China is playing a key role in promoting more open, green and inclusive development in the region." Vanandi said, "China's green industries such as electric vehicles, wind energy and solar energy are booming, and by promoting the construction of the green" the Belt and Road ", new impetus is injected into regional economic transformation."

Taking the construction of the China ASEAN Free Trade Area as an example, Vanuatu believes that from the consensus reached by both sides in 2001 to the comprehensive completion of the China ASEAN Free Trade Area in 2010, and the recent signing of the 3.0 version upgrade protocol of the Free Trade Area, "China has always promoted regional connectivity and common prosperity through practical actions. China has made important contributions to promoting regional cooperation through ideological guidance and active actions in trade, investment, and finance." Vanuatu expressed that Indonesia has benefited greatly from cooperation with China, and "the two countries should continue to deepen cooperation, achieve mutual benefit and win-win results, and benefit more people

Faced with the increasingly complex international situation, the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) should avoid geopolitical interference and continue to play an important role in stabilizing regional cooperation. Although member economies may have different development paths, they can work together to maintain fairness and openness in APEC cooperation. "Vanuatu hopes that the APEC meeting to be held in China in 2026 can continue the momentum of constructive dialogue, further deepen regional cooperation, and promote and strengthen the spirit of the" Asia Pacific family "that APEC has always advocated.

Source: People's Daily