Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng on Saturday attended and addressed the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Ministers Responsible for Trade Meeting in Suzhou, east China's Jiangsu Province, calling for joint efforts for common prosperity in the region.
He, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said changes unseen in a century are accelerating, and APEC members can promote common prosperity and achieve open, high-quality, balanced and secure development only by upholding mutual respect, mutual trust and win-win cooperation.
China is ready to work with all parties to strengthen communication and dialogue in emerging areas, jointly support World Trade Organization (WTO) reform, and advance regional economic integration in a pragmatic and flexible manner, He said.
He added that China will contribute more positive energy to economic development in the Asia-Pacific region and the world through new achievements in Chinese modernization.
During the meeting, He also held talks with WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun, exchanging views on WTO-related issues and China-Thailand economic and trade cooperation.
Chinese vice premier calls for APEC cooperation for shared prosperity
The 32nd Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Ministers Responsible for Trade Meeting concluded in east China's Suzhou on Saturday, yielding fruitful results and laying significant groundwork for the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in November.
The trade ministers' meeting focused on "building an open and predictable regional and multilateral economic and trade order" and "fostering new engines of innovative and dynamic trade and investment cooperation."
Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao briefed the media on the meeting's outcomes at a press conference.
Wang said the meeting issued a joint statement titled the Suzhou Statement, and approved the latest edition of the APEC Roadmap for Innovative, Competitive and Resilient Services.
All parties agreed to advance policy innovation and reform in services trade, build an open and predictable investment environment, improve regional trade facilitation and supply chain resilience, strengthen standards coordination, and enhance intellectual property protection, Wang told the media.
He also said that substantial progress was made on a framework document for regional digital trade cooperation and the ministers emphasized promoting inclusive AI development, strengthening AI-related trade, and bridging the digital divide to ensure shared benefits from digital transformation.
The minister noted that the outcomes of the meeting demonstrated strong cooperation willingness, highlighted an innovation-oriented approach, and reflected inclusiveness and shared benefits. "The fact that Asia-Pacific economies can come together, uphold the original aspiration of promoting trade and investment liberalization and facilitation while supporting economic growth and prosperity, and engage in in-depth discussions on the important issue of 'where multilateral and regional economic and trade cooperation is headed,' fully demonstrates that open regionalism and true multilateralism enjoy broad support, and that mutual success and shared development serve the fundamental interests of all economies," Wang said.
2026 APEC trade ministers' meeting concludes with fruitful results
