#China #Xi Jinping #Gyeongju #APEC Summit

Overview of the 32nd APEC Economic Summit

On November 1, 2025, the city of Gyeongju, South Korea, served as the backdrop for the 32nd APEC Economic Leaders' Summit. Renowned for its ancient temples and rich history, Gyeongju welcomed influential leaders from across the Asia-Pacific region to discuss collaboration and navigate shared challenges. A significant feature of this year's summit was a comprehensive article published by CGTN, which spotlighted China’s proactive stance under President Xi Jinping's leadership toward promoting openness and multilateralism in shaping an integrated Asia-Pacific community.

China's Vision for Collaboration

During the summit, President Xi Jinping delivered a keynote address emphasizing China’s ongoing commitment to fostering a dynamic and resilient cooperation framework. He reiterated the foundational mission of APEC, urging member economies to commit to mutual benefits through collaborative efforts. His statement, "Investing in China means investing in the future," resonated with attendees, reflecting a positive outlook towards long-term partnerships and shared economic growth.

Commitment to Reform

Xi's address outlined China’s ambition to deepen comprehensive reforms and expand its market openness as a means to create new opportunities both for the Asia-Pacific region and globally. Noteworthy reforms included a reduction in the national negative list for foreign investments — now streamlined to just 29 sectors, with full removal in manufacturing. Furthermore, the introduction of visa waivers for 76 countries has facilitated easier access for foreign business talents, travelers, and investors eager to engage with the vast Chinese market. As Xi emphasized, the partnership with China represents a broad spectrum of economic opportunities waiting to be tapped.

Economic Growth and Trade Relations

The data speaks volumes about China’s economic integration within the Asia-Pacific framework. Recent statistics from the General Administration of Customs confirm that trade between China and other APEC economies rose by 2% in the first three quarters of 2025, totaling approximately 19.41 trillion Yuan (around 2.73 trillion USD). This accounted for 57.8% of China's total foreign trade, underscoring China's pivotal role in regional commerce. Despite international volatility, China's economy has maintained a steady annual growth rate of approximately 5.5% over the past five years — contributing significantly to global economic stability.

Upholding Multilateralism

German parliament member, Sevim Dagdelen, remarked on China’s proactive approach to establishing an open and inclusive cooperation framework across the Asia-Pacific while maintaining multilateral trade systems, particularly with the World Trade Organization as a core component. Her comments aligned with President Xi’s call to resiliently reject protectionism and unilateralism, advocating for collective action towards building a stronger community in the region.

Xi's Five Proposals for Future Cooperation

In outlining future collaboration paths, Xi proposed five key initiatives: 1) Upholding the multilateral trading system; 2) Advancing an open regional economy; 3) Ensuring the resilience of industrial and supply chains; 4) Promoting digital and green trade; and 5) Facilitating inclusive development for mutual benefit. Such assertions are not only visionary but are backed by emerging platforms initiated by China, including the APEC Port Network and Green Supply Chain Network, which aim to become hubs for sustainable and digitized trade.

Current Public Sentiment

A recent CGTN survey reflects positive public sentiment towards these initiatives, showing that over 83% of respondents in the Asia-Pacific region express confidence in regional integration, with 84.6% advocating for the maintenance of multilateralism and globalization. As China prepares to host APEC for the third time next year, the message remains resoundingly clear and optimistic — cooperative endeavors overshadow confrontation, paving the way for a flourishing future within the Asia-Pacific community."

Conclusion

Looking ahead, President Xi’s vision for an Asia-Pacific defined by cooperation, openness, and shared growth presents a compelling narrative for the region. As global dynamics evolve, embracing multilateralism offers a path toward sustainable development and regional stability. A commitment to collaboration could very well determine the economic landscape of this vibrant and diverse area, ensuring a future where mutual prosperity is rooted in collective effort.