The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) is the premier forum for economic cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region, boasting the broadest membership and greatest economic influence. China, as an important member of APEC, a leader in regional cooperation, a defender of multilateralism, and the main engine of the world economy, will host the 33rd APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Shenzhen, Guangdong province in November 2026, fully demonstrating the responsibility of a world leader.

China will not only inject strong momentum into regional cooperation but also enhance certainty, stability, and confidence in global economic recovery and international collaboration.

This year also marks China's third hosting of the APEC meeting. Chen Xu, chair of the 2026 APEC Senior Officials' Meeting (SOM), said that China hosted APEC meetings in 2001 and 2014, leaving an indelible mark on APEC's history.

In 2014, China advocated for jointly building an Asia-Pacific partnership featuring mutual trust, inclusiveness, cooperation and mutual benefit. In 2020, China systematically expounded on jointly building an open, inclusive, innovative, interconnected and mutually beneficial Asia-Pacific community of shared future.

China has actively participated in practical cooperation across various fields under the APEC framework, and cooperated with all parties to foster an open economy in the Asia-Pacific, Chen said.

From geopolitical tensions to economic fragmentation, today's world is facing complex challenges. Unilateralism and protectionism are on the rise, and the international economic and trade order is facing severe challenges. The Asia-Pacific region is facing decisions about its future direction, and international cooperation is also facing the test of either advancing or regressing.

Against this backdrop, China's role as the host of the APEC 2026 meeting carries significance that extends far beyond APEC itself, and even beyond the Asia-Pacific region, Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu said.

For the 2026 APEC "China Year," openness, innovation and cooperation are three priorities. "Openness" refers to developing an open economy, opposing protectionism, and promoting trade and investment liberalization and facilitation.

"Innovation" indicates upholding an innovation-driven development model, advancing new quality productive forces, and creating new growth drivers for APEC cooperation.

"Cooperation" involves leveraging the comparative strengths of APEC economies, enhancing policy synergy and experience exchanges to achieve mutual benefit.