China helps leverage economies' strengths for common development: observers

As the world is paying close attention to the upcoming 33rd Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting, observers from multiple countries have said that China's efforts to deepen Asia-Pacific economic cooperation have provided important opportunities for the relevant economies to leverage their own strengths and achieve common development.

The 33rd APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting will be held in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, on Nov. 18 and 19.

"For the Russian-Asian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs, China is the cornerstone of the Asian economy. For APEC and relevant economies, China is also the locomotive in Asian development," said Vitaly Mankevich, chairman of the Russian-Asian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs.

"The connections and relations between China and Latin American countries are crucial, because such connections and relations help the countries in our region find their positions in a new international situation. Latin American countries should strengthen collective actions and explore the establishment of a cooperation framework focusing more on the region, so as to better participate in the development process that China is currently promoting," said Andrea Freites, an expert on China-Latin America relations.

"China's measures, including building the Hainan Free Trade Port, have created favorable conditions for Vietnamese enterprises to enhance their market competitiveness. For example, customs clearance has been significantly accelerated, and as an APEC economy, Vietnam enjoys greater competitive advantages within the region," said the head of a Vietnamese rubber enterprise.

For the 2026 APEC "China Year," China has set openness, innovation and cooperation as its three priorities.

"China is committed to enhancing cooperation among Asia-Pacific economies in financing and trade. China's economic model and development philosophy are built on the foundation of financial and economic partnerships," said Safwan Qusay Abdel Halim, chairman of the Board of Directors with Ashur International Bank for Investment.

China helps leverage economies' strengths for common development: observers

The APEC Ambassadors and CEOs Roundtable, hosted by China Media Group (CMG), was held Sunday in APEC host city Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, where guests held in-depth discussions on topics including high-level opening-up and AI development.

The event was the first CMG-hosted event during the 2026 APEC Economic Leaders' Week, which runs from Nov 14 to 19.

Themed "Sharing Opportunities through Openness, Achieving Mutual Benefits and Win-Win Results," the roundtable brought together about 80 participants, including ambassadors and diplomatic envoys to China from some APEC member economies, representatives of domestic and foreign businesses, and heads of foreign chambers of commerce.

The ambassadors said they were impressed by China's openness, inclusiveness and innovation, and would deepen cooperation with China to share development opportunities.

Guests noted that the roundtable provided a platform for dialogue between APEC member economies and businesses, and called on all parties to work together to inject greater stability and positive energy into regional prosperity.

APEC Ambassadors, CEOs Roundtable held in Shenzhen