China’s He Lifeng says Shenzhen APEC meetings to set direction for Asia-Pacific cooperation
Chinese Vice-Premier He Lifeng said the upcoming APEC informal leaders’ meeting in Shenzhen would set a direction and build momentum for regional cooperation. He urged the APEC Business Advisory Council to promote entrepreneurial spirit and work towards an Asia-Pacific community.
Chinese Vice-Premier He Lifeng said the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) informal leaders’ meeting in Shenzhen would “set a direction and build momentum” for regional cooperation, as he addressed the opening ceremony of the fourth APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) meeting in the southern Chinese city on 14 November.
He, a member of the Politburo of the Communist Party of China’s Central Committee, called on the ABAC to continue to foster an entrepreneurial spirit of enterprise, openness and innovation. He urged the council to help “re-launch” APEC towards the goal of building an Asia-Pacific community, and to make new contributions to regional coordination, innovative development and connectivity.
During the meeting, He also met with some ABAC representatives to exchange views on deepening economic and trade cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region, state broadcaster RTHK reported.
The ABAC meeting is being held as part of preparations for the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting, which is also scheduled to take place in Shenzhen. The leaders’ meeting is expected to be the highlight of the APEC year, which China is hosting in 2026 under the theme of “Building a Just, Sustainable and Interconnected Asia-Pacific”.
He’s remarks came amid growing global economic uncertainty and trade tensions, with China seeking to reaffirm its commitment to multilateral cooperation and regional integration through the APEC forum.