DALIAN, Aug. 20 (Xinhua) -- Representatives from customs authorities, government agencies, international organizations, businesses and academia across Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) economies on Thursday highlighted the need for closer cooperation to promote trade and strengthen regional connectivity amid rising unilateralism and protectionism.
More than 230 representatives attended the 2026 APEC Customs Business Dialogue in Dalian, northeast China's Liaoning Province, where they discussed issues including supply chain security, artificial intelligence applications and customs supervision of cross-border e-commerce.
Sun Meijun, head of China's General Administration of Customs, said that rising unilateralism and protectionism are posing serious challenges to global economic and trade development, stressing the need for joint efforts to address them.
She said the dialogue serves as an important platform that brings customs authorities and businesses together and facilitates communication between governments and markets.
Trade and investment liberalization and facilitation have been among the areas where Asia-Pacific cooperation has achieved the most notable results over the past three decades, said Eduardo Pedrosa, executive director of the APEC Secretariat.
APEC economies, guided by the principles of voluntary participation and consensus, have reduced trade barriers, improved policy transparency and simplified cross-border customs procedures, Pedrosa added.
The 21 APEC economies accounted for more than one-third of the world's population, over 60 percent of global gross domestic product and about half of global merchandise exports and imports in 2025, according to APEC data.
In recent years, driven by digitalization, e-commerce has emerged as a new driver of economic growth across the Asia-Pacific.
Wan Lin, chief executive officer of Cainiao Group, said the company's business now covers APEC economies including Singapore, Malaysia and the United States, forming an open, efficient and sustainable smart logistics network.
Despite geopolitical tensions and headwinds against globalization, the shared aspirations of economies for development, small and medium-sized enterprises for growth, and individuals and families for better value remain unchanged, he said.
Wan called for continued innovation in customs regulatory mechanisms, the introduction of policies and procedures tailored to cross-border e-commerce, and wider application of AI in packaging, transport, warehousing and customs clearance to make e-commerce logistics more efficient, compliant and green.
Zhang Yuyan, member of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said despite temporary headwinds, the broader trend of globalization remains unchanged.
China is contributing to regional development through its own modernization, including by improving customs clearance efficiency with smart regulatory systems and advancing international mutual recognition of Authorized Economic Operator programs to facilitate trade for highly creditworthy enterprises, said Zhang. ■