APEC China Year gains momentum as 3rd SOM concludes in Dalian

The third Senior Officials' Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) China concluded in Dalian, northeast China's Liaoning Province, on August 28, with participants making progress in preparations for the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting scheduled for November in Shenzhen, a Chinese spokesperson said on Monday.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun made the remarks at a regular press conference in Beijing in response to a query about the meeting and its major outcomes.

The third Senior Officials' Meeting of APEC China and related events were held in Dalian from August 17 to 28.

Chinese Deputy Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu attended the meeting and delivered remarks.

Guo said the meeting was the largest senior officials' meeting held during the APEC China Year in terms of both attendance and number of events.

Nearly 130 meetings and events were held by APEC committees and working groups, covering areas including trade, transportation, food, customs, science and technology, energy, health, disaster reduction and anti-corruption.

More than 3,000 representatives from APEC member economies, the APEC Secretariat and APEC observers attended the meetings, Guo said.

Participants held in-depth discussions under the theme of the APEC China Year, "Building an Asia-Pacific Community to Prosper Together," and focused on the three priority areas of "Openness, Innovation and Cooperation," while exchanging views on preparations for the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting to be held in Shenzhen in November.

Under the "Openness" priority, China hosted a policy dialogue on connectivity, laying the groundwork for developing an upgraded APEC Connectivity Blueprint, Guo said.

Under the "Innovation" priority, China hosted a policy dialogue on the digital economy and artificial intelligence as drivers of economic growth.

Participants discussed ways to leverage AI to promote economic growth, improve people's well-being and bridge the digital divide, building on the positive momentum generated by APEC Digital Week held in Chengdu in July.

Under the "Cooperation" priority, China continued to advance practical cooperation in areas including anti-corruption, customs, food security, fisheries and maritime affairs, public health and energy.

Major outcomes were achieved in areas such as enhancing integrity for prosperity and strengthening customs cooperation to promote trade security and facilitation, Guo said, adding that the final Senior Officials' Meeting of the APEC China Year will be held in Shenzhen ahead of the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in November.