On February 10, 2026, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi attended the opening session of APEC 2026 First Senior Officials' Meeting in Guangzhou.

Wang Yi said that this is the third time that China plays host to APEC—and the first after twelve years. Back in 2001, right on the eve of China's WTO accession, China successfully held the APEC meeting in Shanghai, which signaled a fresh start for Asia-Pacific cooperation in the new century. In 2014, China, after entering the new era, hosted the Beijing meeting, where all parties made the commitment to fostering a forward-looking Asia-Pacific partnership and laid out a shared vision for the region's long-term development and shared prosperity.

Over the past twelve years, APEC member economies have sustained steady growth. With roughly 40 percent of the world's population, Asia-Pacific countries generated more than 60 percent of global GDP and nearly half of global trade, with more economic activity gravitating toward the Asia-Pacific.

Over the past twelve years, the region has pressed ahead with the free trade process despite challenges. The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, and the Digital Economy Partnership Agreement have all come into force and are being implemented, playing an increasingly active role in guiding multilateral economic and trade rules.

Over the past twelve years, APEC member economies have embraced the information age. Internet penetration has jumped from 52 percent to nearly 90 percent. Digital economy, artificial intelligence, new-energy vehicles, and other industries are booming, making the region a global hotspot for innovation and growth.

Over the past twelve years, despite geopolitical tensions, the backlash against globalization, and the COVID-19 pandemic, the Asia-Pacific has deepened regional cooperation and emerged as the engine of global growth, the champion of regional integration, and the vanguard of innovation-driven development.

Wang Yi said that as the host, China will build on APEC's existing consensus and outcomes, and make new contributions to Asia-Pacific cooperation.