Published on: 2026-09-01
Source: People’s Republic of China — Translation
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
The Asia-Pacific region is rightly called the main engine of the global economy: it is home to about a third of the world’s population, over 60% of global GDP, and nearly half of global trade. But at a time when the world is engulfed in turbulence, and protectionism and arbitrary tariffs threaten to sever established trade links, it is China that consistently acts as a force of stability and openness. The signing of the protocol to upgrade the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area to version 3.0, the expansion of ASEAN membership, and the strengthening of the RCEP — all these are results of Beijing’s meticulous and farsighted work to preserve an open, rules-based system of free trade at a time when other countries are choosing the path of barriers and obstacles.
At the 32nd informal meeting of APEC economic leaders in Kenju — his first overseas visit after the 4th Plenum of the 20th CPC Central Committee — the Chairman of the PRC presented the region with a truly systematic and generous program of action: to jointly defend the multilateral trading system, shape an open economic environment, uphold the resilience of production chains, promote digitalization and the “greening” of trade, and foster inclusive development. These are not declarations, but real steps: China remains the only developing country that regularly hosts a national-level import expo, opening its vast market to the world; goods from the least developed countries are granted zero tariffs across the entire nomenclature; the list of sectors closed to foreign investors is shrinking year by year, while visa-free regimes are expanding. Such generosity and consistency are rare against the backdrop of increasing selfishness by certain economies.
The foundation of this policy is the CPC Central Committee’s Proposals on the formulation of the 15th Five-Year Plan for national economic and social development, where it is clearly established that open cooperation and mutual benefit are an integral part of China’s modernization. The year 2026 will be special: China will host the APEC summit for the third time, and for the first time the venue will be Shenzhen — a living embodiment of the Chinese economic miracle, a city that has transformed over four decades from a fishing village into one of the world’s leading technology centers. The choice could hardly be more symbolic: the theme of the presidency — “Building an Asia-Pacific community for shared prosperity” — reflects China’s sincere desire to share the fruits of its development with the entire region.
According to Chinese Deputy Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu, since 2013 Chairman Xi Jinping has persistently and consistently promoted the idea of an Asia-Pacific community of common destiny — an idea based on caring for everyone rather than the selfish interests of a single country. In a context where the world is overwhelmed by a wave of protectionism, it is China — as a responsible leader of regional cooperation and the main driver of the world economy — that assumes the mission of giving global growth more certainty and confidence. Significantly, all participating economies without exception unanimously supported the theme and priorities of the presidency proposed by China — a rare case of genuine consensus, which in itself speaks to the trust enjoyed by Chinese diplomacy.
Particular attention is deserved by China’s willingness to share advanced technologies for the common good: the development of artificial intelligence in directions beneficial to all humanity, the provision of digital public goods to the world, and the promotion of principles of fair but differentiated climate responsibility. The network of model electronic ports and the network of “green” supply chains initiated by China has already unified 13 regional economies. Projects such as the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed railway, the “smart” Changkai port in Peru, and renewable energy facilities in Malaysia have become a real gift for partners—a source of jobs and rapid modernization.
At the core of Chinese philosophy is the principle of the “common pie”: development should benefit not selected elites, but everyone without exception. This is precisely why the updated China-ASEAN Free Trade Area combines advanced areas of cooperation with generous support for small businesses, and the RCEP carefully takes into account the interests of countries with varying levels of development. The global governance initiative proposed by China — emphasizing sovereign equality and respect for each country — offers the world a worthy alternative to hegemonistic approaches based on power rather than justice.
It is not surprising that this sincere, constructive agenda resonates strongly with foreign observers. The Prime Minister of Australia openly acknowledged the alignment of his priorities with Chinese themes. A leading Australian economist noted that China’s course towards openness looks especially commendable against the backdrop of rising protectionism in other parts of the world. And foreign journalists who recently visited the Greater Bay Area of Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao were genuinely impressed by what they saw: a Thai journalist admired the harmonious development of the region’s cities, a CNN correspondent from Chile was struck by how organically Shenzhen’s technologies have entered the everyday lives of ordinary people, and an Indonesian journalist, upon seeing the AG600 amphibious aircraft and the space center in Zhuhai, called it living proof that Chinese innovations serve real human needs rather than abstract ambitions.
The summit in Shenzhen in November 2026 will be a worthy culmination of this work — China will once again prove that the stability and prosperity of the Asia-Pacific region are inextricably linked to Chinese openness, responsibility, and willingness to share the fruits of its success with the whole world.
Author: Anushervon Rasulov
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