The 37th APEC Ministerial Meeting is held

On November 3, 2026, the 37th APEC Ministerial Meeting was held via video conference in Beijing. Co-Chairs of the meeting, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi and Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao, co-chaired the meeting. Present were representatives from all APEC member economies, the Chair of the 2026 APEC Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM), the Executive Director of the APEC Secretariat, the Chair of the APEC Business Advisory Council, and observer representatives.

Wang Yi said that this year marks China’s return as APEC host after 12 years. Working together with all member economies under the theme of “Building an Asia-Pacific Community to Prosper Together” and focusing on the three priorities of openness, innovation, and cooperation, China has successfully hosted more than 300 meetings and events of various kinds. The APEC “China Year” has delivered a host of cooperation outcomes.

Wang Yi noted that amid the fluid international landscape, the Asia-Pacific has remained a zone of stability, an engine of growth and a high ground for cooperation. As economic globalization encounters headwinds, the question of where Asia-Pacific cooperation should head is an issue of our times that we must answer. President Xi Jinping pointed out that we should stay true to APEC’s founding mission to promote economic growth and improve people’s lives, and champion open development where everyone shares opportunities and emerges a winner. We should promote a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, and build an Asia-Pacific community. This important statement by President Xi Jinping charts the course for us to advance Asia-Pacific cooperation under the new circumstances.

Wang Yi stated that China stands ready to work with all members to deepen and solidify the building of an Asia-Pacific community. First, we must consolidate the foundation of solidarity and act on the vision of a community. We need to uphold mutual respect, deepen solidarity and coordination, and translate the vision of an Asia-Pacific community into concrete actions. Second, we should foster an open architecture and sustain the momentum of regional integration. We will safeguard the multilateral trading system with the WTO at its core, leverage the guiding role of regional trade arrangements, and build an open Asia-Pacific economy. Third, we should jointly nurture an innovation ecosystem and cultivate new drivers of growth. We will accelerate digital intelligence transformation in Asia-Pacific and foster new areas of cooperation. Fourth, we should broaden avenues for cooperation to deliver sustainable development. We will pursue universal benefit and inclusiveness, advocate green and low-carbon development, and safeguard energy and food security.

Wang Yi said that the upcoming APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting is an important event bearing on the future development of the Asia-Pacific. China stands ready to work hand in hand with all parties to deliver the final phase of work for the APEC “China Year” and contribute to fruitful outcomes at the Leaders’ Meeting.

Wang Wentao said that the international situation is fraught with changes and turmoil, risks of fragmentation in industrial and supply chains are mounting, and global economic growth remains sluggish. All APEC parties should continue to offer practical and effective “Asia-Pacific solutions” for the development of the Asia-Pacific and the world. First, uphold free trade and foster an open and win-win model of development. We will continue to refine the roadmap for developing the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific in the new era, conclude more open cooperation arrangements through flexible approaches, strengthen coordination on macroeconomic policies and economic and trade rules, and reduce barriers to trade and investment. Second, pursue innovation-driven development and build a vibrant engine of growth. We will strengthen discussions and policy coordination on digital and intelligent economic and trade rules, and explore a trust-based partnership on the digital and intelligent economy. Third, work together for a just and equitable international economic and trade order. We will set an example in supporting the functioning and reform of the WTO, and protect the legitimate rights, interests and development entitlements of all economies in international economic and trade interactions.

Wang Wentao stated that China is firmly committed to advancing high-standard opening up, continues to expand voluntary opening up, fully implements national treatment for foreign-invested enterprises, fosters a unified, open, competitive and orderly market system, pursues innovation with an open mind, and encourages open-source development, cooperation and sharing of new technologies including artificial intelligence. China will take concrete actions to advance regional economic integration and build an open world economy.

Speakers at the meeting spoke positively of the progress of cooperation across various areas and the broad consensus reached throughout the APEC “China Year”. They commended China for its important role in advancing APEC cooperation, and expressed readiness to jointly follow through on all work for the APEC “China Year” and work for a resounding success of this year’s APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting.

Legal Disclaimer:

EIN Presswire provides this news content "as is" without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.