China Sets APEC 2026 Agenda at Guangzhou Senior Officials’ Meeting

Overview

• Foreign Minister Wang Yi opened the first APEC 2026 Senior Officials’ Meeting in Guangzhou on February 10 and urged members to deliver a clear, substantive outcome at this year’s Leaders’ Meeting.
• China set the theme “Building an Asia-Pacific Community to Prosper Together” and identified openness, innovation, and cooperation as the year’s priorities.
• Beijing pressed for pathways toward the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific and for an upgraded APEC connectivity blueprint that builds on earlier progress.
• Officials called for synergy between RCEP and CPTPP, deeper collaboration on trade and supply chains, and practical steps in cross-border e-commerce, data flows, and smart customs.
• Wang Yi urged acceleration of digital, smart, and green transitions with people-centered AI, movement toward AI governance rules, and expanded cooperation in clean energy and green minerals, while delegates toured Guangzhou’s tech and green showcases including an EHang EH216-S ride and an all-electric river cruise.