Ongoing APEC finance ministers' meeting in Hong Kong focuses on growth, digital infrastructure

2026-10-21 09:30 Last Updated At：13:16

The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Finance Ministers' Meeting is underway in Hong Kong, bringing together finance ministers, representatives from APEC economies, heads of international organizations and senior representatives of partner parties to assess the economic outlook and strengthen fiscal policies that support growth across the Asia-Pacific.

The two-day meeting, running from Oct. 20 to 21, will build up financial sector outcomes ahead of the 33rd APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting, scheduled in Shenzhen in November.

In his opening remarks, Chinese Finance Minister Lan Fo'an, who chaired the meeting, called upon Asia-Pacific economies to contribute to regional prosperity in the face of global uncertainties and the spillover effects of geopolitical conflicts.

He also outlined three regional priorities in his speech.

To that end, all sides should step up macroeconomic policy dialogues, fast-track economic transformation to strengthen resilience, and maintain industrial and supply chain stability, he said.

Chen Xu, chair of the 2026 APEC Senior Officials' Meeting, said that this APEC Finance Ministers' Meeting will help enhance the effectiveness of fiscal policies in spurring growth, ensuring the people's well-being and fostering economic transformation.

This year's meeting, guided by the APEC "China Year" theme and the three priority areas mentioned by Lan, has proposed four key fiscal and financial agenda items in light of the new situation facing Asia-Pacific economic development. The four key topics are: supporting people's livelihoods with fiscal policies, financing digital infrastructure, promoting inclusive finance in line with local conditions, and facilitating exchanges and cooperation among young finance professionals across APEC economies.

As one of the most important specialized ministerial meetings under the APEC framework, the APEC Finance Ministers' Meeting serves as a core platform for member economies to exchange views on macroeconomic policy and fiscal and financial cooperation.

Zelensky calls on US to let Ukraine determine elections for itself

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called on the United States to let Ukraine independently determine the issue of elections for itself during an interview with an Italian media outlet on Tuesday.

On Oct 10, U.S. President Donald Trump called on Ukraine to hold an election and replace Zelensky with a new leader who could reach a deal with Russia, accusing Zelensky of being unwilling to negotiate a settlement to end the conflict.

Zelensky noted that Russia is raising the issue of elections because it expects that a change of president will ease its pressure. He then expressed surprise that the United States is taking a similar stance.

The Ukrainian President said that open and democratic elections -- with the presence of Western observers -- are impossible under the current situation.

Conducting elections must provide voting opportunities for service members at the front, Ukrainians abroad, and citizens residing within the country, Zelensky added.

On the same day, Zelensky said that he had discussed defense cooperation over the phone with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

The talks focused on providing ballistic missile interceptors, early warning of Russian ballistic missile attacks, and the need to restore Starlink/Starshield services, Zelensky said in a post on X, adding that diplomatic efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine conflict were also discussed.

Zelensky thanked Rubio for "his readiness to help and his clear position", describing the conversation as "substantive" and "constructive".

Zelensky said the two sides agreed to speak again soon for an update.

Speaking to reporters in India on the same day, Rubio confirmed the phone talk while denied that the Trump administration has made any changes to previous intelligence sharing with Ukraine.