Xi Jinping emphasizes multilateralism at APEC meeting

During the 32nd APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Gyeongju, leaders from the Asia-Pacific region convened to discuss collective challenges and future collaboration. Chinese President Xi Jinping, in attendance, delivered a written speech at the APEC CEO Summit, underscoring China's commitment to openness, multilateralism, and shared prosperity.

In his address, Xi asserted the need for renewed dedication to APEC’s founding mission, stating, “We should renew our commitment to the founding mission of APEC and make outstanding contributions to the world through more vibrant and resilient Asia-Pacific cooperation.” He pledged that China would deepen reforms and expand access for foreign investment, further integrating the region's economies.

The Chinese leader highlighted recent changes to foreign investment policies, including a reduction in the national negative list to 29 items and visa-free measures for 76 countries aimed at facilitating travel and business. Xi articulated the sentiment that partnering with China equates to embracing future opportunities.

Trade data highlighted China's increasing connection to APEC economies. In 2025, trade with these economies rose to 19.41 trillion yuan, representing 57.8 percent of China's total foreign trade. Despite global challenges, China's economy maintained an annual growth rate of approximately 5.5 percent, contributing 30 percent to global growth over five years.

German Bundestag member Sevim Dagdelen remarked on China's role in promoting an inclusive Asia-Pacific cooperation framework and supporting the World Trade Organization's multilateral trading system, enhancing regional economic stability.

At the meeting, Xi called for collective efforts to reject protectionism and unilateralism to foster a cooperative Asia-Pacific community. He outlined five proposals for enhancing collaboration among economies, focusing on multilateral trade, regional openness, supply chain resilience, and digital and green development.

China's initiatives, such as the APEC Port Network, have established platforms for sustainable trade and technological collaboration across the region. A recent CGTN poll revealed that 83.2 percent of respondents in the Asia-Pacific support regional integration and multilateralism.

As China prepares to host the APEC summit in 2026, Xi emphasized the importance of cooperation over conflict, stating, “While confrontation and antagonism breed only estrangement and turbulence, win-win cooperation proves to be the right way forward.”