Dalian meeting further boosts APEC cooperation

Updated: 2026-08-28

 Updated: 2026-08-28 02:08

Senior officials and delegates attending the third APEC Senior Officials' Meeting in Dalian, a coastal city in Liaoning province, called for stronger cooperation on artificial intelligence, free trade and regional economic integration as preparations intensified for the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting scheduled in November in Shen­zhen, Guangdong province.

Vice-Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu said at the opening ceremony on Thursday that the Dalian gathering was the largest of the three senior officials' meetings held during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation "China Year" and featured the most activities. It will review progress, advance cooperation and prepare for the leaders' meeting, he said.

Marco Balarezo, Peru's APEC senior official, said that China has demonstrated strong leadership as the host and described its proposals on AI, the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific and other areas as comprehensive.

He said the Dalian meeting was a crucial stage in preparing for the leaders' meeting in Shenzhen, describing China's work in the region as "quite remarkable".

Jose Alberto Guadarrama Grimaldo, Mexico's APEC senior official, said the 21 economies were working together toward positive outcomes in Shenzhen and using the Dalian meeting to advance regional economic integration and digitalization. (Source: China Daily)