by Xinhua writers Li Jinfeng, Ma Caoran, Li Zijian
LIMA, Nov. 10 (Xinhua) -- A think tank report on recent achievements of APEC and China's contributions to regional economic cooperation has received positive feedback from readers.
The report, titled Jointly Promoting High-Quality Development and Building an Asia-Pacific Community with a Shared Future, was released in Lima on Friday by Xinhua Institute, a think tank affiliated with the Xinhua News Agency.
Experts and scholars worldwide have praised the report for its in-depth analysis of APEC's achievements since its inception and China's ongoing contributions to fostering regional consensus and shared prosperity. They also underscored the importance of continued cooperation among Asia-Pacific economies to build a more open, dynamic, resilient, and peaceful community.
REGIONAL COOPERATION
"This report offers a comprehensive and detailed analysis of APEC's historical trajectory and the region's development achievements while also exploring the future potential of Asia-Pacific cooperation," said Martha Isabel Andres Roman, editor-in-chief of Cuba's Latin American News Agency. She also noted that APEC's role is particularly significant in the global context of growing protectionism and some countries' turn toward unilateralism.
The report noted that in 2023, APEC's 21 member economies contributed over 60 percent of the global GDP. Over the past 35 years, APEC has fueled rapid regional development, establishing the Asia-Pacific as a growth center for the global economy, a stabilizing force, and a hub of cooperation.
As the 31st APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting approaches in Lima, there is strong optimism that the Asia-Pacific region will continue to drive global economic growth. "Every process of integration brings mutual benefits," said former Peruvian Prime Minister Javier Velasquez. "Through cooperation, countries in the region are better positioned within the global economy."
Hans Hendrischke, a professor at the University of Sydney Business School, emphasized that APEC's role in fostering dialogue is increasingly crucial amid rising protectionism and calls for "decoupling" in certain parts of the world.
SHOWCASING CHINA'S CONTRIBUTION
The report also highlights how China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative complements APEC's efforts for regional economic cooperation. China has become the largest trading partner for more than 10 APEC economies, with trade between China and Latin America nearing 500 billion U.S. dollars annually.
As a leading economic player in the region, China has actively contributed to APEC initiatives, playing a pivotal role in promoting multilateralism and open regionalism. China's development approach has garnered broad recognition among APEC members.
Li Xiangyang, director of the National Institute of International Strategy at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said the rise in protectionism has made the future of globalization a central issue. APEC's commitment to open regionalism has shown remarkable vitality in the Asia-Pacific, the world's most dynamic region.
Liu Chenyang, director of the APEC Study Center at Nankai University, praised the report for vividly demonstrating China's role in APEC's journey toward building an Asia-Pacific community with a shared future, raising hopes for even greater collaboration.
"China is a global leader in the digital economy, and many APEC members can learn from its experience," said Jose Carlos Feliciano Nishikawa, deputy director of the Center for China and Asia-Pacific Studies at Peru's Universidad del Pacifico. He noted that the upcoming APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting will further strengthen cooperation, providing opportunities for other countries to benefit from China's growth.
FUTURE DEVELOPMENT
The report stresses that the future of Asia-Pacific cooperation will play a crucial role in shaping the region's development, improving people's well-being, and influencing the global economy. It calls on APEC members to uphold the spirit of cooperation, advance regional development, and contribute to building a community with a shared future for humanity.
Jing Ran, director of the School of International Trade at the University of International Business and Economics, emphasized that with sluggish global economy recovering and rising geopolitical uncertainties, APEC's principles of voluntarism, consensus-building and incremental progress are more relevant than ever. Its focus on collaboration in technology, digital economy, and climate change aligns with the common interests of people across the Asia-Pacific.
Peru's Minister of Agricultural Development and Irrigation, Angel Manuel Manero, highlighted that Peru, a leading producer of agricultural products like avocados, blueberries, and beef, benefits significantly from deeper integration within APEC.
The completion of major infrastructure projects, such as the Chancay Port, will enable Peru's products to reach China and other Asian markets more efficiently, further reinforcing the country's role in APEC's trade network, the minister said. ■
