(Shenzhen APEC) From Shanghai to Beijing and then to Shenzhen: A two-way journey between China and APEC

China News Service, Beijing, November 12 (Reporter Xie Yanbing) The 33rd Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders’ Informal Meeting will be held in Shenzhen from November 18 to 19. This is the third time that China has served as the host of APEC.

As an important member of the Asia-Pacific family, China has always fulfilled its commitment to "root in the Asia-Pacific, build the Asia-Pacific, and benefit the Asia-Pacific". From the banks of the Huangpu River to the banks of Yanqi Lake, and then to the coast of the South China Sea, the three host cities of Shanghai, Beijing, and Shenzhen are linked together, which is the process of mutual achievement and two-way progress between China and APEC.

In October 2001, on the eve of China's accession to the World Trade Organization, the ninth APEC leaders' informal meeting was held in Shanghai. This was the first time that China served as the host of APEC.

At that time, the growth of the world's major economies was slowing down, the economies of most members in the Asia-Pacific region were in decline, and the world was facing new challenges in the new century. Important documents such as the "Shanghai Consensus" adopted at the APEC Shanghai meeting sent a strong voice in support of the multilateral trading system and injected valuable confidence and momentum into the Asia-Pacific and even global economies.

"The successful hosting of the Shanghai Conference is a symbolic starting point for China's transformation from an ordinary participant in Asia-Pacific regional cooperation to an institutional contributor and agenda leader." said Du Lan, deputy director of the Asia-Pacific Institute at the China Institutes of International Studies.

In 2014, the APEC meeting came to China again, at Yanqi Lake in Huairou, Beijing. This meeting coincides with the 25th anniversary of the establishment of APEC. It is also a meeting held against the background of the deepening of the adjustment and deepening of relations between China and major powers and neighboring countries.

Under China's initiative and leadership, the APEC Beijing meeting made the major decision to launch the Asia-Pacific Free Trade Area process, outline a new blueprint for building an Asia-Pacific interconnection network, and open up new areas for cooperation on a series of global issues.

From the Shanghai Conference proposing "participation and cooperation to promote common prosperity," to the Beijing Conference advocating "jointly building a future-oriented Asia-Pacific partnership," to this year's conference theme of "Building an Asia-Pacific Community and Promoting Common Prosperity," China has always upheld the APEC spirit of equal partnership, shared responsibility, mutual respect, and mutual benefit, and has continuously injected Chinese strength into building an open Asia-Pacific economy.

At present, the streets of Shenzhen have entered "APEC time". Along the city's main and secondary arterial roads, thematic bilingual road flags are unfurled in the wind, and theme posters can be seen on large outdoor screens and on bus stops. Shenzhen welcomes visitors from all directions with sincerity.

From a border town to a modern international city, Shenzhen has achieved an urban development miracle in more than 40 years, and has become an important window for the international community to observe China's reform and opening up. The city’s openness and innovation coincide with APEC’s philosophy.

Today's world has entered a new period of turbulence and change, and the development of the Asia-Pacific is facing increasing challenges. As the world's eyes focus on the "City of Miracles", the outside world expects the Shenzhen Conference to gather new strength for Asia-Pacific cooperation at a critical juncture.

This year, China, together with various member economies, successfully held more than 300 meetings and events of various types, and APEC's "Year of China" achieved a series of cooperation results. Duran expressed his belief that China will work with all parties to discuss the phased goals and implementation roadmap for the construction of the Asia-Pacific community in the coming period, inject new momentum into APEC cooperation to expand opening-up, and create a new engine for cooperation.

From Shanghai to Beijing to Shenzhen, China and the Asia-Pacific colleagues remain true to their original aspirations.

The 2026 APEC "Year of China" logo is composed of 21 intertwined wings that together form a flying roc. It not only implies interdependence and mutual cooperation, but also echoes Shenzhen's nickname "Pengcheng", symbolizing that all members work together to build the Asia-Pacific community.

The "Shenzhen Agreement" is about to begin, and the next chapter of the two-way journey between China and APEC will continue to be written. (over)