As the 2025 APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting approaches in South Korea, voices from across the Asia-Pacific are calling for a renewed focus on dialogue, cooperation and shared prosperity. Against a backdrop of rising economic uncertainty, experts gathered in Beijing on October 25 for a panel hosted by China Media Group, Yonsei University and YTN to explore practical steps toward sustainable regional growth.
Ren Hongbin, chairman of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, noted that global challenges are increasingly interconnected, which makes cooperation and mutual benefit essential. He highlighted the Chinese mainland's Global Governance Initiative (GGI) as one framework offering solutions for a fairer and more inclusive global system.
Tengku Zafrul Aziz, Malaysia's minister of investment, trade and industry, stressed that clear rules and trust form the bedrock of growth for all nations. Deputy Ruben Oyarzo, a member of Chile's Chamber of Deputies, affirmed Chile's commitment to Asia-Pacific development and stressed the importance of building long-term trust.
Yoon Dong-sup, president of Yonsei University, underlined the role of multilateral dialogue in tackling challenges like climate change, aging populations and economic volatility, and called for innovation and collective planning to secure a sustainable future.
Other panelists included David Perez Des Rosiers of the Canada China Business Council, who described APEC as a vital platform for regional opportunities, and Gaston Chee of the Malaysian Chamber of Commerce in China, who urged greater transparency to counter rising trade barriers. Chung Suh-Yong of the Seoul International Law Academy rounded out the discussion with a call for open, inclusive partnerships that balance shared interests with national differences.
Amid global fragmentation, the consensus was clear: dialogue, trust and cooperation backed by initiatives like the GGI can stabilize growth and unlock new paths to shared Asia-Pacific prosperity. As APEC leaders converge in 2025, these insights could set the tone for a more resilient regional economy.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
