China at the APEC Summit: Takeaways
Femy Francis
On 31 October, China’s President Xi Jinping addressed his first session at the 32nd Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Economic Leaders Meeting (APEC). The APEC summit ended with a declaration where its 21 member countries called for economic advancement that is market-driven. US President Donald Trump left after meeting with China’s President Xi Jinping and did not attend the summit. Xi also met leaders of South Korea, Canada, and Japan on the sidelines, as he affirmed China’s ties with them. Xi also announced that it will host the 2026 APEC meeting in Shenzhen, focused on AI cooperation. The following are the key takeaways from Xi’s presence at the summit:
First, promotion of multilateralism. Xi called for economic globalisation and multilateralism. Xi said: “The more turbulent the times, the more we must work together. The world is undergoing a period of rapid change, with the international situation becoming increasingly complex and volatile.” Xi called for maintaining supply chain stability, as opposed to US efforts to decouple its supply chains from China, and expressed hopes to work with other countries to expand cooperation in green industries and clean energy.
Second, the US-China trade truce. US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping met for the first time in six years to discuss escalating trade tensions. Trump stated that the meeting held in South Korea was “amazing.” While no formal agreement was signed, a truce was in sight with China agreeing to suspend any export control of rare earths and critical minerals. China also agreed to buy 12 million metric tonnes of soybeans and a minimum of 25 million tonnes per year for the next three years. While the tariffs and taxes on imported goods will remain the same.
Third, AI and innovation-based development. Xi called for mutually beneficial cooperation and to make use of new opportunities. Especially in the field of technology and innovation-driven development. It is the Asia-Pacific economies’ responsibility to bear in mind the entire humanity as they promote AI. Xi proposed to establish a World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organisation, an international community on AI aimed at enhancing AI literacy and bridging the digital divide.
Fourth, green and low-carbon development. Asia-Pacific, according to Xi, needs to keep in mind the responsibilities it has to future generations as they enhance synergy between green development strategies of all economies, promote free flows of quality green technologies and products. China is also committed to dual control over the volume and intensity of carbon emissions.
Fifth, Xi holds court on the sidelines. China’s President’s presence at the APEC meeting took centre stage with a series of bilateral meetings between Xi and his counterparts. These included US President Donald Trump, Japan’s new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney and Thailand’s Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul. To Takaichi, Xi hoped to build a stable friendship for the new era Japan was seeing, while Takaichi stressed that the variety of challenges they face also eases. To Carney, he noted that revive their bilateral relations that were fraught, and he hopes that this meeting will bring their relation on track. Xi affirmed to Anutin that they have been good neighbours and relatives and hopes that the same continues.
References
“2035 Nationally Determined Contributions,” China Daily, 01 November 2025
“Xi urges Asia-Pacific economies to jointly forge a sustainable, brighter future,” China Daily, 01 November 2025
“South Korea gifts Xi a Go board made from prized wood, after crown for Trump,” Reuters, 01 November 2025
“President Xi Jinping Meets with Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul of Thailand,” MOFA, 31 October 2025
“Xi says China willing to work with S. Korea for steady development of strategic cooperative partnership,” Xinhua, 01 November 2025
28th ASEAN-China Summit
On 28 November, the 28th ASEAN-China Summit was convened in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, which was attended by ASEAN leaders. The summit was aimed at the ASEAN-China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and to have an action plan from 2026-2030. During this meeting, they also signed the ASEAN-China Free Trade Area 3.0 Upgrade and exchanged views on regional and international issues of common interest and concern. China’s Premier Li Qiang attended the meeting, and, on behalf of President Xi Jinping, he noted that “China will continue to support promoting the peaceful settlement of disputes between Cambodia and Thailand in the ASEAN way. China and ASEAN countries need to speed up consultations on the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC) and strive for its early conclusion. Second, promote deeper convergence of interests.” Li Qiang affirmed to accelerate China-ASEAN trade and investments and pledged to fund the ASEAN cooperation. Additionally, a China-ASEAN digital academy was established, aimed at building an AI cooperation platform and setting a centre for maritime cooperation and development. The China-ASEAN summit also affirmed a stronger people-to-people bond as they aim to further mechanisms for tourism. Li concluded, “China will always be ASEAN's good friend based on mutual trust and a good partner for shared development. Let us reaffirm our commitment to unity for strength, march forward together with faster steps, promote the sustained and steady development of China-ASEAN cooperation, and make greater contributions to peace and development of the region and beyond.” (“Li Qiang Attends the 28th China-ASEAN Summit,” MOFA, 28 October 2025)
