The global economy is entering a phase of slowing growth while facing a wave of protectionist measures, placing the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum before a choice: strengthen openness and regional cooperation or allow trade barriers to rise. In early September 2026, the National Institute for Advanced Studies at Xinhua News Agency published a report titled 'Openness, Innovation, and Cooperation: Building a More Prosperous Asia-Pacific Community', which defines defending commitments to free trade and regional cooperation as the shared responsibility of all participating economies. According to the document, since its founding in 1989, APEC has consistently pursued the goal of promoting common development and improving people's lives, relying on the principle of open regionalism that accommodates differences in political systems, levels of development, and cultural and social traditions among member states.
The Region's Weight in the Global Economy
The Asia-Pacific region remains a key center of the global economy, accounting for about one-third of the world's population, over 60% of global GDP, and nearly half of global trade. For this reason, report authors note, practical cooperation within APEC turns the region into a driving force for global economic growth, a stable foundation for development, and a model of international interaction. The potential of such cooperation is vividly demonstrated by China's trade with APEC member economies: in the first seven months of 2026, the total import and export volume between China and other forum participants reached 18.03 trillion yuan (approximately $2.682 trillion), a 21% increase compared to the same period in 2025 and outpacing China's overall merchandise trade growth rate for the same timeframe.
Pressure on Supply Chains
At the same time, regional cooperation is coming under pressure from instability in the global economy and trade. Protectionist measures, complex technical barriers, and the risk of rules-of-origin fraud hinder the free flow of trade, while competition between major powers and economic shocks increase uncertainty and make it harder to maintain consensus among participants. An additional risk factor comes from disruptions and fragmentation in supply chains, which increase transport costs, complicate compliance procedures, and raise the burden on the region's infrastructure connectivity.
Forum Priorities and the 'Three Pillars'
In response to these challenges, APEC remains committed to the principles of open regionalism, trade and investment liberalization and facilitation. Declared priorities include reducing non-tariff barriers, expanding trade in services, developing digital trade, and improving access to investment markets. In parallel, the forum supports the multilateral trading system centered around the World Trade Organization and works to ensure stable and uninterrupted regional supply chains. Openness, innovation, and cooperation are defined as the three pillars of regional economic development: openness is viewed as the foundation of common prosperity, and cooperation as a tool for jointly solving problems, unlocking potential, and building a sustainable future.
China's Position and the Shenzhen Summit
China plays an active role in promoting these ideas. Speaking in August 2026 at the second plenary meeting of the APEC Sub-Committee on Customs Procedures, Zhang Baofeng, Deputy Director-General of China's General Administration of Customs, stated that member economies need to step up efforts to eliminate trade barriers and take concrete measures to address cross-border trade issues, as this is a crucial condition for enhancing the security, stability, and efficiency of regional supply chains. According to him, amid increasingly fragmented global supply chains, adjusting rules and standards and improving their resilience are becoming especially urgent. Analysts believe that at the APEC summit in Shenzhen in November 2026, China is expected to push for a trade agreement covering the Pacific region, including the United States, although the prospect of reaching such an agreement still faces several obstacles.
