On February 10, 2026, Wang Yi, member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs, attended the opening ceremony of the first high-level meeting of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) in Guangzhou and delivered a speech.  

Wang Yi said that this year is China's third time and also the first time in 12 years that it has hosted APEC. In 2001, APEC successfully held the Shanghai Conference, symbolizing the restart of Asia Pacific cooperation in the new century. In 2014, as China entered a new era, it hosted the APEC Beijing Conference, where all parties committed to building a future oriented Asia Pacific partnership, outlining a vision for the long-term development and common prosperity of the region.   To achieve this goal:

One is to build a prosperous and stable Asia Pacific. Adhere to the "APEC approach" and maintain the correct direction of Asia Pacific cooperation. Adhere to extensive consultation, joint construction and sharing, focus on pragmatic cooperation, deepen the integration of interests, and achieve common prosperity.  

The second is to build an open and integrated Asia Pacific. Strengthen macroeconomic policy coordination, adhere to open regionalism, promote trade and investment liberalization and facilitation, and build a closer supply chain. Maintain the multilateral trading system with the World Trade Organization at its core, leverage the leading and driving role of regional trade arrangements, and accumulate momentum for the construction of the Asia Pacific Free Trade Area.  

The third is to build an inclusive and inclusive Asia Pacific. Intensify support for developing economies and promote emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence to benefit more people. Adhere to the principle of putting people first, and expand and divide the development "cake" well. Promote green transformation of economic growth and achieve sustainable development in the Asia Pacific region.  

The fourth is to build a harmonious Asia Pacific. We must uphold the purpose and principles of APEC, unite and cooperate, forge ahead, and strive to create a new era of development in the Asia Pacific region. Wang Yi said that China has set "Building an Asia Pacific Community and Promoting Common Prosperity" as the theme of this year's conference, and will advance the annual agenda around the three priority areas of "openness, innovation, and cooperation". We need to revisit the original intention of Asia Pacific cooperation, focus on the future development of APEC, and promote the release of a clear direction and rich content outcome document at this year's leaders' meeting. Actively expanding the construction path of the Asia Pacific Free Trade Zone, promoting the development of an upgraded blueprint for connectivity, and consolidating more consensus for regional economic integration. Promote digital, intelligent, and green transformation through innovation, create new growth points, and promote sustainable development in the Asia Pacific region. Taking into account the diversity of APEC members, deepening practical cooperation in multiple fields around governance issues related to development.  

Wang Yi stated that APEC's "Year of China" coincides with the beginning of China's "15th Five Year Plan". China will further comprehensively deepen reform, continue to expand high-level opening up, and use the new achievements of Chinese path to modernization to provide new opportunities for the development of the Asia Pacific and the world. As the host, China will continue to build on the existing consensus and achievements of APEC and make new contributions to promoting Asia Pacific cooperation.    

The first APEC Senior Officials' Meeting and related conferences were held in Guangzhou from February 1st to 10th. This high-level meeting is the first official event hosted by China as the host of APEC in 2026, with over 1400 representatives from member economies attending. All parties have conducted in-depth discussions on the theme of APEC's "Year of China" and the three priority areas, comprehensively launched cooperation in various fields, and accumulated results for the informal meeting of leaders held in November. All parties highly praised Foreign Minister Wang Yi's speech, believing that it fully reflects China's firm commitment and leading role in Asia Pacific regional cooperation. They expressed their active support for China's hosting of the meeting and jointly promote the fruitful results of APEC's "Year of China", making greater contributions to the development and prosperity of the Asia Pacific region.