China's Commitment to Openness and Multilateralism in the Asia-Pacific Region

Under the golden autumn skies of Gyeongju, South Korea, leaders from across the Asia-Pacific convened for the 32nd edition of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders' Meeting. The summit served as a platform for discussing regional collaboration amidst mutual challenges. China's President Xi Jinping was a prominent figure, delivering a written address that reiterated China’s dedication to openness, multilateralism, and shared prosperity.

In his address, Xi called for a renewal of commitment to APEC's founding mission, urging nations to contribute dynamically and sustainably to the world through collaborative efforts within the Asia-Pacific community. He stressed that investing in China equates to investing in the future, reinforcing the idea that collaboration with China opens doors to opportunities and optimism.

During the first session of the leaders' meeting, President Xi announced China's intent to deepen comprehensive reforms and expand high-level openness to the world. The nation aims to create new opportunities both for the Asia-Pacific region and globally, empowered by the latest milestones of Chinese modernization. Evidence of China’s commitment to openness can be seen through significant policy reforms, including a reduction of negative lists in foreign investment to just 29 entries, none affecting the manufacturing sector. Additionally, China has extended visa-free travel to citizens from 76 countries, streamlining the experience of investing and living in China.

China's burgeoning economic ties with the region are also reflected in trade data. According to the General Administration of Customs, during the first three quarters of 2025, trade between China and other APEC economies grew by 2% year-on-year, amounting to 19.41 trillion yuan (approximately $2.73 trillion), which makes up 57.8% of China's total foreign trade.

Despite facing external challenges, China's stable economic growth has provided a sense of assurance to the region and the world. Over the past five years, China has managed an average annual growth rate of about 5.5%, contributing to around 30% of global economic growth.

Sevim Dagdelen, a German lawmaker from the Bundestag, commented that China has consistently advocated for building open and inclusive frameworks for collaboration in the Asia-Pacific region while maintaining a multilateral trade system centered around the World Trade Organization. Her remarks highlighted the positive impact of such cooperation on influencing economic stability both regionally and globally.

As President Xi articulated, the world currently stands at a “new crossroads” between cooperation and hegemonism. To navigate this landscape, he called upon all economies to enhance solidarity, reject protectionism, and oppose unilateralism, to collectively foster a community of Asia-Pacific countries that promotes peace and development.

During his speech, Xi outlined five proposals for collaboration: preserving the multilateral trading system, supporting an open regional economy, ensuring the sustainability of industrial and supply chains, developing digital and green trade, and promoting inclusive growth that benefits all. These strategies are already taking shape, with platforms initiated by China, such as the APEC Port Network and the Green Supply Chain Network emerging as essential hubs for sustainable and digital trade in the region. Over the last five years, China has ranked first globally in merchandise trade and second in services trade, attracting more than $700 billion in foreign investments and maintaining an annual growth rate above 5% in foreign investment inflows.

China's technological collaboration continues to reinforce partnerships across the Asia-Pacific region and beyond, from smart ports in Latin America and mobile payment systems in Southeast Asia to AI-driven efficiency projects in the Middle East and electric vehicle production in Thailand. Together, these initiatives create a mosaic of shared progress built on openness and innovation.

Social sentiments echo this vision. A recent CGTN survey revealed that 83.2% of respondents in the Asia-Pacific region expressed confidence in regional integration, while 84.6% agreed that economies should support multilateralism and globalization.

As China prepares to host APEC for the third time next year, its message remains clear and forward-looking. As President Xi put it, “While confrontation and antagonism lead only to estrangement and instability, cooperation based on mutual benefit is the right path forward.”