ASIATODAY.ID, GUANGZHOU – China has begun a strategic push to shape a new direction for the Asia-Pacific as APEC officially launched its 2026 agenda in Guangzhou.
From 1 to 10 February, senior officials from 21 member economies are gathering for the First APEC Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM1) and a series of related meetings, marking the start of China’s role as APEC host this year.
Under the theme “Building an Asia-Pacific Community to Prosper Together,” Beijing is signaling that APEC 2026 will be more than a technical forum.
Instead, it is positioning the platform as a strategic vehicle to deepen regional integration at a time of growing global uncertainty, economic fragmentation, and heightened geopolitical rivalry.
Around 60 meetings, workshops, symposia, and committee sessions are scheduled over the 10-day cluster, covering a wide range of strategic issues—from trade and investment to digital transformation, food security, governance, and ocean sustainability.
These discussions are expected to align regional priorities around China’s three core pillars for APEC 2026: Openness, Innovation, and Cooperation.
“APEC 2026 is a critical opportunity for member economies to strengthen unity, deepen cooperation, and advance shared prosperity across the region,” said Ambassador Chen Xu, Chair of the APEC 2026 Senior Officials’ Meeting on February 1, 2026.
He reaffirmed China’s readiness to work with all economies to advance the vision of a more integrated Asia-Pacific community.
Locking in the Region’s Trade and Integration Agenda
Through the Committee on Trade and Investment (CTI), China is pushing for stronger support of the multilateral trading system and accelerated economic integration across the Asia-Pacific.
Key discussions include revitalizing the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP) process, expanding paperless trade and cross-border e-commerce, and advancing green and low-carbon transformation across regional industrial and supply chains.
These priorities closely align with China’s broader objective of reinforcing its role as a central hub for manufacturing, trade, and logistics in the region, while exerting greater influence over the evolving rules of Asia-Pacific economic governance.
At the same time, the Friends of the Chair on Connectivity meeting is reviewing the APEC Connectivity Blueprint (2015–2025) and shaping the post-2025 connectivity agenda—an area where China is well positioned to expand its influence across physical, institutional, and digital infrastructure.
Digital Economy, Governance, and Food Security as Strategic Tools
The digital economy is emerging as a key pillar of China’s regional leadership narrative. Through the Digital Economy Steering Group, discussions on data flows, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and emerging technologies aim to promote a more integrated Asia-Pacific digital ecosystem.
On governance, the Anti-Corruption and Transparency Experts Working Group is examining ways to strengthen cross-border cooperation against corruption and illicit financial flows—issues increasingly tied to investment confidence and long-term economic stability.
Food security is also high on the agenda. Through the Policy Partnership on Food Security, member economies are advancing innovation- and digital-driven approaches to strengthen food system resilience amid growing risks of global supply disruptions.
Meanwhile, the Ocean and Fisheries Working Group is promoting cooperation on sustainable fisheries, marine ecosystem conservation, and ocean resilience—sectors that are not only economically vital but also geopolitically sensitive in the Asia-Pacific.
Setting the Asia-Pacific Roadmap for 2026
“These meetings help set the pace for APEC’s work throughout the year, as economies align on practical steps to strengthen growth, enhance competitiveness, and expand economic opportunity,” said Eduardo Pedrosa, Executive Director of the APEC Secretariat.
He noted that the breadth of discussions in Guangzhou reflects how Asia-Pacific economies are responding to global challenges through cooperation—while also underscoring China’s increasingly central role in shaping the region’s policy direction.
The First APEC Senior Officials’ Meeting will culminate on 10 February, when economies will further consolidate discussions on building a more open, innovative, and cooperative Asia-Pacific—clarifying China’s position as a key architect of the region’s trajectory in 2026 and beyond. (AT Network)
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