Guangzhou, China – The first high-level meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum opened in Guangzhou on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in attendance. The meeting marks China’s third time hosting APEC, and its first in 12 years, signaling a renewed focus on regional economic cooperation.
Wang Yi addressed the opening ceremony, noting that this year’s APEC theme is “Building an Asia-Pacific Community with a Shared Future, Promoting Common Prosperity.” He emphasized the importance of focusing on “openness, innovation, and cooperation” throughout the year’s agenda. The development underscores China’s continued commitment to shaping the regional economic landscape.
According to Wang Yi, the 2001 APEC meeting in Shanghai, held just before China’s entry into the World Trade Organization, symbolized a fresh start for Asia-Pacific cooperation in the new century. He also referenced the 2014 APEC meeting in Beijing, hosted during a period of significant Chinese economic growth.
The APEC high-level meeting serves as a crucial channel for advancing cooperation and preparing for the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting later this year. Officials are expected to launch collaborative efforts across various sectors and discuss concrete cooperative initiatives. This meeting could influence future diplomatic talks and economic strategies within the region.
The meeting in Guangzhou aims to revitalize APEC’s core principles and chart a course for future development, with a focus on creating a comprehensive and impactful outcome document for the leaders’ meeting in November. Discussions will also center on expanding the path towards the establishment of the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP) and developing an upgraded blueprint for interconnectedness.
Wang Yi also stressed the need to consider the diversity of APEC member economies and deepen practical cooperation in multiple areas, particularly those related to development governance.
