Mr Wang Yi, China’s Foreign Affairs Minister, on Sunday declared the country’s readiness to host the 2026 edition of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit (APEC) in Shenzhen, China.
The APEC is an inter-governmental forum for 21 member economies in the Pacific Rim that promotes free trade throughout the Asia-Pacific region.
Wang, who is also a member of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee’s Political Bureau disclosed this while fielding questions from journalists on Sunday, in Beijing.
The minister was speaking at the ongoing 4th Session of the 14th National People’s Congress (NPC), a major event of China’s political agenda, holding from March 3 to 11.
According to him, China will host APEC for the third time with the aim of achieving the goal of a united Asia Pacific community.
Wang said that from Shanghai in 2001 and Beijing in 2024 to Shenzhen this year, APEC in the past 25 years had experienced ups and downs in regional cooperation.
“It has witnessed China’s unwavering commitment to growing together with the Asia Pacific. To be a good host China will focus on one central objective throughout the whole year: To translate the goal of building an Asia Pacific community into action and turn its blueprint into reality.
“Decades have passed since the concept of Asia Pacific community was first put forward. This idea must not stay on paper or remain just a vision.
“We hope to find an answer in Shenzhen that delivers broad consensus, clear priorities and workable steps, to enable people in the region associate in building an Asia Pacific community,” he said.
He explained that through intensive communications with all parties, the country had centred the APEC theme to be: “Building an Asia Pacific community to proser together.”
This, according to him, will focus on openness, innovation and cooperation, as well as chart the course, and rally strength for Asia Pacific cooperation at the crossroads.
Wang said China will construct the main pillars of an Asia Pacific community, align different pathways toward the Free Trade Area of the Asia Pacific.
He said that it will also make appropriate arrangements for regional connectivity, and vigorously promote the transformation toward digital, smart and green development.
The Minister said that throughout 2026, China will host over 300 events in cities across the country with the participation of multiple Chinese provinces and municipalities.
”All APEC member economies will have opportunity to contribute.
“It is an important window on China’s reform and opening up, a brilliant showcase of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and a frontier of innovation in the Guangdong-Hong-Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.
“We stand ready to work with all sides to promote a restart from APEC Shenzhen toward the goal of an Asia Pacific community,” he said.
