"The Asia-Pacific is a space for our common development, and we are all sails moving forward in the sea of the Asia-Pacific."
From November 18th to 19th, President Xi Jinping will host the 33rd Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders’ Informal Meeting in Shenzhen and deliver an important speech. As the host, China will join hands with all parties to focus on the APEC "Year of China" theme of "Building an Asia-Pacific Community and Promoting Common Prosperity" and focus on the three priority areas of "openness, innovation and cooperation" to open up a new realm of mutual benefit and win-win results for Asia-Pacific economies.
Since 2013, President Xi Jinping has attended or chaired all APEC informal leaders’ meetings and delivered important speeches, proposing a series of major ideas and propositions, drawing up a blueprint for Asia-Pacific cooperation from a strategic and long-term perspective, guiding the direction and gathering strength for the Asia-Pacific community to realize the dream of a community and create a new future.
(1) “Opening up is the only way for the prosperity and progress of human society”
"APEC has been established for more than 30 years, from drawing up the blueprint for the Asia-Pacific Free Trade Area to promoting the construction of the Asia-Pacific community, leading the Asia-Pacific region to be at the forefront of global openness and development, and helping the Asia-Pacific become the most dynamic region in the global economy."
More than a year ago, at the 32nd APEC Leaders’ Informal Meeting in Gyeongju, South Korea, President Xi Jinping profoundly pointed out the historical logic of opening up to achieve prosperity in the Asia-Pacific.
Openness is the lifeline of Asia-Pacific cooperation.
More than 30 years ago, APEC was born when a new round of economic globalization was gradually emerging. Since its establishment, APEC has always been committed to promoting the liberalization and facilitation of trade and investment, and promoting the Asia-Pacific to become the main growth engine of the global economy.
Looking back at President Xi Jinping's leadership in Asia-Pacific cooperation, he has consistently advocated openness and development.
“All member economies will advance together if they are open, and they will be trapped if they are closed.” “Openness is the only way for human society to prosper and progress.” “Only by adhering to open cooperation can we obtain more development opportunities and greater development space.”…
Since the new era, President Xi Jinping’s previous “APEC meeting meetings” have made it clear to the world with profound conclusions: No matter in the past, present or future, openness is an important prerequisite for achieving sustainable growth in the Asia-Pacific.
The most important thing is simplicity, hard work is the key.
Advocate "building an open Asia-Pacific economy", emphasize "promoting inclusive and inclusive economic globalization", launch and promote the Asia-Pacific Free Trade Area process, adopt the "Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Connectivity Blueprint", and approve the "APEC Roadmap to Promote the Realization of the Asia-Pacific Free Trade Area"...
With the grand strategic vision of a leader of a major country and a world-class leader, President Xi Jinping has led the Asia-Pacific family to solidly play the theme of open and inclusive cooperation.
"The Pacific Ocean is vast because it has no natural barriers. We should not set up artificial barriers for it."
Taking inspiration from the laws of the world economy and historical experience, President Xi Jinping called on all parties to adhere to the original intention of APEC, share opportunities and achieve win-win results in open development, and use the concept of open development to steer Asia-Pacific cooperation.
The tide of the times continues to surge, and the world's economic development has also undergone profound changes. As the engine of global economic growth, the Asia-Pacific shoulders important responsibilities for the future of the world.
"Every era has its own problems. The problem itself is not terrible. The key is to take the right approach to solve the problem."
In 2017, Da Nang, Vietnam was a lush green city, where the 25th APEC Leaders’ Informal Meeting was held.
At that time, the world economy was gradually returning to the track of recovery, but growth momentum and development methods had undergone profound changes. In the face of changes in the world economy, where should the Asia-Pacific go?
"Continue to insist on building an open economy and strive to achieve mutual benefit and win-win results." President Xi Jinping is based on the new time and space coordinates, and with a historical perspective that clears the clouds and sees the sun, he gives China's answer to all parties in the Asia-Pacific.
The sea of the world economy is not always calm. The most important thing to steer the ship is in densely populated reefs.
In 2025, in Gyeongju, the ancient capital of South Korea, under the sunny weather, the world situation is undercurrent. On one side is the "high wall of the small courtyard", on the other side is openness and tolerance; on the one hand is a zero-sum mindset, and on the other is strengthening unity and cooperation.
"Confrontation and confrontation will only bring about estrangement and instability." "Multilateralism is the inevitable choice to deal with global challenges." President Xi Jinping took a long-term view and strategized, calling on APEC members to take the lead in openness and integration, strengthen unity and collaboration, oppose protectionism, resist unilateral bullying, and prevent the world from returning to the law of the jungle.
The foresight and responsibility of leaders of major countries have led Asia-Pacific cooperative ships to continuously cross reefs and ford dangerous shoals. Today, the Asia-Pacific region is still at the forefront of global openness and development.
This year, the APEC Trade Ministers' Meeting held in Suzhou issued a joint statement, reiterating the need to promote the regional economic integration process through the construction of the Asia-Pacific Free Trade Area, and once again emphasized the contribution of connectivity to promoting prosperity in the region.
"We must show our foresight and responsibility and make decisions that meet the expectations of the people of the Asia-Pacific and can withstand the test of history." The tide of the times is rolling forward, and those who ride the waves are riding the waves.
In Lima, Peru, in early summer of 2024, the waves of the Pacific Ocean are beating the pulse of the times as the world economic center moves eastward. The 31st APEC Leaders’ Informal Meeting kicked off here.
"China will build a new higher-level open economic system and continue to share China's development opportunities with the world." President Xi Jinping solemnly declared.
From attending the APEC meeting for the first time in 2013, promising that China would "implement a more proactive opening-up strategy" and "improve a mutually beneficial, diversified, balanced, safe and efficient open economic system", to last year's announcement at the APEC meeting that China's negative list for foreign investment access has been reduced to 29 items, and it has implemented unilateral visa exemption or comprehensive mutual visa exemption for 76 countries around the world...
On every important occasion when we discuss Asia-Pacific cooperation, President Xi Jinping demonstrates to the world China's historical initiative and responsibility for high-level opening-up, leading China's open development to stride forward in mutual benefit and win-win with its Asia-Pacific partners.
This year marks the 35th anniversary of China’s joining APEC. These 35 years have been the 35 years since China deepened reform and expanded opening up, the 35 years since Asia-Pacific economic cooperation has continued to expand, and the 35 years that China has contributed to the common prosperity of the Asia-Pacific.
Today, China is the largest trading partner of 13 APEC members; APEC members occupy 8 of China's top ten trading partners; China contributes more than 60% to Asia-Pacific economic growth...
"In today's world, the trend of economic globalization is irreversible, and no country can pursue construction behind closed doors. China has long been deeply integrated with the world economy and international system." By insisting on deep integration and common development with all parties in the process of opening up, China has become the backbone of Asia-Pacific cooperation.
In the first year of the "15th Five-Year Plan", President Xi Jinping will lead China to open up to the outside world at a high level and join hands with partners in the Asia-Pacific family to start from a new starting point of common prosperity.
(2) “Only reformers advance, only innovators are strong, only reformers and innovators win”
October 2013, Bali, Indonesia. The deep impact of the international financial crisis has not subsided, and all parties in the Asia-Pacific are paying attention to the same question: Where will the growth momentum come from if the world economy is to recover?
In October 2013, when he first appeared on the APEC stage, President Xi Jinping provided far-sighted guidance for the common development and prosperity of the Asia-Pacific. He gave a firm answer: "My opinion is that it can only come from reform, adjustment and innovation."
Over the past ten years, the world economy has undergone tremendous changes. Innovation has always been the main line for President Xi Jinping to lead the Asia-Pacific towards a bright future.
This is a profound insight into the changing trend of the times——
"Currently, a new round of scientific and technological revolution and industrial transformation are developing in depth, especially the rapid development of cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence, which has opened up new prospects for human society."
In November 2025, in Gyeongju, South Korea, President Xi Jinping’s speech at the second phase of the 32nd APEC Leaders’ Informal Meeting was straight to the point, grasping the general trend of scientific and technological innovation development and pointing out the direction of the Asia-Pacific economy.
As an important engine of world economic growth, how can the Asia-Pacific seize the opportunity amid changes? At every node in the development of the Asia-Pacific, President Xi Jinping steers the ship with a forward-looking vision.
In 2017, President Xi Jinping pointed out at the APEC Business Leaders' Summit in Da Nang, Vietnam, that a new round of technological and industrial revolution is gaining momentum, the digital economy and the sharing economy are accelerating, new industries, new models, and new business formats are emerging one after another, and new growth momentum is constantly accumulating. “The world economy is completely rid of the risk of ‘new mediocrity’ and can only seek motivation from innovation.”
A year later in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, President Xi Jinping once again reminded all parties: "If we do not adapt and seek change, we will miss development opportunities and even miss the entire era."
In 2020, the COVID-19 epidemic impacted the global economy and accelerated digital transformation. President Xi Jinping made a judgment: "The digital economy is the future development direction of the world, and innovation is the wings for the Asia-Pacific economy to take off."
In San Francisco, the United States, in 2023, President Xi Jinping encouraged the Asia-Pacific business community to carry forward the innovative spirit of "dare to be the first in the world" and make greater contributions to building an open Asia-Pacific economy and boosting world economic development.
…………
A wise man plans according to the times.
"All parties in the Asia-Pacific should take advantage of the situation, be based on actions, and lead a new round of global development and prosperity." President Xi Jinping, with his long-term vision and keen insight, has provided important guidance for all parties in the Asia-Pacific to win the initiative and create a new situation.
This is a continuous outline of the road to innovation in the Asia-Pacific——
Adhering to reform and innovation and seeking new growth drivers for the Asia-Pacific economy are China’s propositions that President Xi Jinping has always emphasized.
In November 2016, President Xi Jinping flew all the way to Lima, Peru, and talked about the development of the Asia-Pacific at the APEC Business Leaders' Summit. His words were very resounding: "As the Asia-Pacific has developed to this day, every step it takes must seek motivation from reform and vitality from innovation."
Eight years later, in 2024, President Xi Jinping came to Lima again to attend the APEC Leaders' Informal Meeting, issuing a powerful call to the world to "seize the opportunities of the new round of scientific and technological revolution and industrial transformation."
Use innovation as the driving force to activate the long-term development potential of Asia-Pacific. Looking back at the development and growth of the Asia-Pacific family, China has carved a distinctive mark of innovation.
In 2014, APEC leaders approved the "APEC Consensus on Economic Innovative Development, Reform and Growth" in Beijing, pointing out the direction for the Asia-Pacific region to take the path of innovative development;
In 2018, when he came to the Pacific island country of Papua New Guinea, President Xi Jinping clearly pointed out: "Scientific and technological innovation achievements should not be blocked and should not be used as a tool for profit-making only for a few people";
“We must make greater efforts to promote economic structural reform”, “create new growth points such as the Internet and digital economy, blue economy, and green economy” and “accelerate the implementation of the APEC Internet and Digital Economy Roadmap, and support the application of new technologies such as big data, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and quantum computing”…
President Xi Jinping’s series of proposals on reform and innovation in the Asia-Pacific not only aim to solve practical development problems, but also aim to create long-term competitive advantages.
Since 2014, APEC member economies have actively embraced the trend of informatization. The Internet population penetration rate has increased from 52% to nearly 90%. Digital economy, artificial intelligence, new energy vehicles and other industries are in the ascendant. With nearly 40% of the world's population, APEC member economies account for more than 60% of the global economic volume and nearly 50% of the total trade, driving the world's economic center of gravity to continue to shift toward the Asia-Pacific region.
Hundreds of teams compete for the current, and the one who strives first is the first. As President Xi Jinping pointed out, “Only reformers advance, only innovators are strong, and only reformers and innovators win.”
This is a vivid picture of China’s reform and innovation empowering the development and prosperity of the Asia-Pacific——
“I hope and believe that through unremitting efforts, ‘APEC Blue’ can be maintained.” In November 2014, during the APEC Beijing meeting, President Xi Jinping’s sincere words revealed China’s far-sightedness in transforming its development model and promoting green development in the new era.
China's path and experience in reform and innovation are important contents shared by President Xi Jinping with all parties in the Asia-Pacific at previous APEC meetings.
“The key to solving the difficulties and problems on the way forward lies in comprehensively deepening reform” “China is developing new productive forces in accordance with local conditions and deepening cooperation with all parties in green innovation” “promoting in-depth reform and promoting high-quality development with high-level opening up”…
Under the leadership of President Xi Jinping, China has continuously integrated its own reform exploration into the plan for innovative development in the Asia-Pacific, and has also used practical actions to promote the results of innovative development to take root in the Asia-Pacific.
Carry out smart city case studies to provide a model for the development of innovative cities in the Asia-Pacific; donate to establish the APEC Digital Green Transformation Sub-Fund; initiate the establishment of the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization to provide public goods for the international community, including the Asia-Pacific...
"Facts have proved that as long as we have the courage to explore, the path of innovation and development will become wider and wider." Artificial intelligence and digital economy have become hot words discussed by all parties in this year's APEC "Year of China" series of activities. In July, China announced that it would establish the "China Center for Promoting APEC Cross-border Data Flow Cooperation" in Qianhai, Shenzhen, to further contribute China's efforts to promoting digitalization and intelligence in the Asia-Pacific region.
(3) “The stronger the storm, the more we need to work together to help each other.”
The vast Pacific Ocean has witnessed countless trade ships traveling between different economies, and has also recorded the journey of the Asia-Pacific family through thick and thin.
On November 17, 2018, in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, aboard the Pacific Explorer cruise ship to attend the APEC Business Leaders Summit, President Xi Jinping expressed emotion: "In today's world economy is turbulent and risks and challenges are highlighted, it is of special significance that we are on the same boat and plan development cooperation together."
Working together in the same boat is an important lesson for the development of the Asia-Pacific.
At present, the changes that have occurred in the world over the past century are accelerating, and the aspect of change and chaos has become more prominent. When the instability and uncertainty faced by development increase, where should the Asia-Pacific go?
“The rougher the storm, the more we need to work together in the same boat.” With the vision and responsibility of a leader of a major country and a world-class leader, President Xi Jinping has charted the course for a better future for the Asia-Pacific.
Gathering a broad consensus of a shared destiny——
"Economies in the Asia-Pacific have intertwined interests and a shared destiny. They all prosper and suffer." In October 2013, under the spotlight of the global media, President Xi Jinping delivered a speech at the APEC Business Leaders Summit for the first time, solemnly proposing that "we must firmly establish a sense of community with a shared future for the Asia-Pacific."
China's solutions continue to inject momentum into the prosperity of the Asia-Pacific; China's wisdom continues to demonstrate influence and charisma.
From advocating the building of an Asia-Pacific partnership of mutual trust, inclusiveness, cooperation, and win-win in 2014, to proposing to build an Asia-Pacific community with a shared future that is open, inclusive, innovative and growing, interconnected, and win-win in 2019; from 2021 elaborating on the four key tasks of building an Asia-Pacific community with a shared future, to In 2023, we will emphasize building an open, dynamic, strong, and peaceful Asia-Pacific community, and in 2025 we will put forward five suggestions to draw a clear roadmap for promoting inclusive economic globalization and building an Asia-Pacific community... President Xi Jinping continues to use Chinese concepts to guide the direction of Asia-Pacific cooperation.
Those who know do not be confused, those who are kind do not worry, and those who are brave do not fear.
Now, as it takes over as host of APEC for the third time, China has adopted the theme of "Building an Asia-Pacific Community and Promoting Common Prosperity" to demonstrate its unchanging original intention of promoting prosperity and a win-win future with its Asia-Pacific partners.
It is in line with the major concepts of a community with a shared future for mankind, a community with neighboring countries, and a community with a shared future for the Asia-Pacific put forward by President Xi Jinping. It is fully consistent with APEC’s original intention and vision, and is in line with the common will of APEC members... This theme has been unanimously agreed and universally supported by all parties, and will surely push Asia-Pacific cooperation to a new level.
Gathering the great practical power of our colleagues on the road——
"Today, we gather at Yanqi Lake with the purpose of strengthening cooperation, spreading our wings and writing a new vision for the development of the Asia-Pacific." On November 11, 2014, as the host leader, he welcomed Asia-Pacific partners to gather in Beijing. President Xi Jinping made a clear statement.
"Action" has become the keyword of the APEC Beijing meeting: China announced that it will donate US$10 million to support APEC mechanism and capacity building and carry out practical cooperation in various fields; in the next three years, the Chinese government will provide 1,500 training places for APEC developing members; the meeting adopted the Beijing Platform and the 25th Anniversary Statement of APEC, further clarifying the development direction, goals, and measures of economic cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region...
Unity of knowledge and action. China has taken practical actions to show all parties in the Asia-Pacific that China is a beneficiary of regional cooperation and an active advocate and promoter of regional cooperation.
From promoting the process of the Asia-Pacific Free Trade Area to promoting the formulation of a blueprint for connectivity; from high-quality joint construction of the "Belt and Road" to deepening cooperation in emerging areas such as the digital economy and green development; from proposing the establishment of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank to investing US$40 billion to establish the Silk Road Fund... China has turned cooperation consensus into development dividends with tangible and tangible things.
In Port Moresby, leaders of the Pacific island countries that have established diplomatic relations with China talked about "China's aid insists on teaching people how to fish"; in San Francisco, they emphasized "achieving common prosperity for the people of the Asia-Pacific and future generations"; in Lima, witnessing the opening of the Port of Chancay, and issuing an invitation that "China welcomes all parties to continue to ride the express train of China's development"; in Gyeongju, they sincerely said that "to succeed as a neighbor is to help yourself"...
"The vines of the sweet potato extend in all directions, but its tubers always grow at the root." President Xi Jinping pointed out with a vivid metaphor that no matter what level of development it reaches, China will take root in the Asia-Pacific, build the Asia-Pacific, and benefit the Asia-Pacific.
Writing a new chapter of the era of working together -
In November 2023, when APEC leaders gathered for the 30th time in San Francisco, the United States, Asia-Pacific cooperation has also gone through an extraordinary 30 years.
Despite the wind and rain along the way, how can the Asia-Pacific properly respond to major challenges and maintain the good momentum of development?
"What we rely on is to look for the general trend, take the overall situation into consideration, carry forward the spirit of partnership that is harmonious but different, and work together, and constantly transform the diversity of members into a driving force for cooperation, complement each other's advantages, and work together to advance together," President Xi Jinping gave the answer with profound insight.
Asia-Pacific is a place where diverse civilizations coexist. Prosperity in the Asia-Pacific cannot be achieved through a winner-takes-all approach, but a win-win approach for all parties.
“I have said many times that true development is achieved when everyone develops together.” “World prosperity and stability cannot be built on the basis of the poor getting poorer and the rich getting richer.” President Xi Jinping’s assertions are far-reaching.
Getting straight to the crux, "Some developing economies in the Asia-Pacific are facing many difficulties, and without their development, the development of the Asia-Pacific will not be sustainable." Anchoring the direction, "We should be committed to strengthening development cooperation to help developing countries get rid of poverty, so that people in all countries can live a good life"; pointing out the path, "give full play to the outstanding diversity of Asia-Pacific economies, promote complementary advantages, jointly make the Asia-Pacific cooperation pie bigger, and take into account one's own interests and the interests of others"...
If you want to establish yourself, you can establish others; if you want to reach yourself, you can reach others. President Xi Jinping upholds the sentiments of the world and grasps the general trend of the world, leading Asia-Pacific cooperation to transcend the old thinking of zero-sum game, where you lose and I win, and write a new paradigm of mutual achievement, mutual benefit and win-win.
"One flower is not spring, and a lonely goose cannot make a journey."
Twelve years ago, the spectacular scene of the Asia-Pacific Flying Geese taking off from Beijing is still before our eyes; now, Asia-Pacific partners are about to gather again to "take advantage of the general trend and soar together" in Pengcheng Shenzhen. The world is looking forward to President Xi Jinping’s “APEC Shenzhen Meeting Time” and another “China Moment” that will deepen Asia-Pacific cooperation and benefit the people of the Asia-Pacific!
