On February 1st,the first Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Senior Officials' Meeting and related events kicked off in Guangzhou, marking the first official event of the APEC "China Year". More than 1,000 representatives gathered in the city to discuss major cooperation initiatives.

Guangzhou was chosen for its millennia-old history as a commercial hub. Its over 2,200-year history of city establishment is, in many ways, a history of trade and openness. From setting sail during the Qin Dynasty to the "Canton System" implemented by the Qing Dynasty and the China Import and Export Fair (Canton Fair)established in 1957 and now approaching its 70th anniversary, Guangzhou stands as one of the birthplaces of the ancient Maritime Silk Road and the only Chinese port that has never closed its doors to foreign trade.

Guangzhou was also selected for what the reform and opening-up have made possible. The city's GDP rose from 4.31 billion yuan in 1978 to 3.20 trillion yuan in 2025. In 2025, Guangzhou's total imports and exports of goods exceeded 1.2 trillion yuan. The number of Fortune Global 500 companies investing in the city reached 368, while the number of foreign consulates, international friendship cities, and sister ports in Guangzhou increased to 70, 111, and 60, respectively.

Today, APEC economies are among Guangzhou's major economic and trade partners. Up to now, the city has cumulatively attracted nearly 120 billion US dollars in actual foreign investment from other APEC economies, accounting for a substantial 82.8% of its total actual foreign investment. In 2025, Guangzhou's imports and exports with other APEC economies reached 689.58 billion yuan, a 2.2% increase.

Guangzhou was further chosen for its innovation-driven future. The city launched the world's first anti-influenza drug that targets a protein of the virus's RNA polymerase called PB2, while also achieving the maiden flight of the solid propellant rocket "Lijian-1" and putting into operation GAC Group'strial all-solid-state battery production line. The world's first publicly listed universal autonomous driving company, the first publicly listed Robotaxi, and the first electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft with all four required certifications emerged one after another. By scaling the heights of science and technology through innovation, Guangzhou continues to give birth to new industries, new models, and new momentum.

APEC第一次高官会今天启幕，为何选择广州？

2月1日，APEC“中国年”首场正式活动——APEC第一次高官会及相关会议，在广州拉开帷幕。千余名代表齐聚羊城，共商合作大计。

选择广州，是因为千年商都的历史。一部2200多年的广州建城史，就是一部通商史、开放史。从秦代的扬帆破冰，到清代的“一口通商”，再到1957年创办、已走过近70载的广交会……广州是古代海上丝绸之路发祥地之一、中国唯一从未向世界关闭过的对外通商口岸。

选择广州，是因为广州改革开放造就的当下。广州地区生产总值由1978年的43.09亿元提高到2025年的3.20万亿元。2025年，广州商品进出口总值超1.2万亿元，在穗投资世界500强企业增至368家，驻穗领馆、国际友城、国际友好港分别增至70家、111个和60个。

如今，APEC经济体已是广州主要经贸合作伙伴。截至目前，广州实际吸收APEC其他经济体外资累计近1200亿美元，占全市实际外资比重高达82.8%。2025年全市对APEC其他经济体进出口6895.8亿元、增长2.2%。

选择广州，是因为广州拥抱创新的未来。上市全球首个抗甲流PB2新药，固体运载火箭“力箭一号”首飞成功，广汽全固态电池中试产线投产，全球通用自动驾驶第一股、无人驾驶出租车第一股、首家“四证齐全”电动垂直起降航空器不断涌现……通过“创新”勇攀科技高峰，广州不断催生出新产业、新模式、新动能。

文｜记者 罗仕
图｜羊城晚报资料图
译｜盛嘉
英文审校｜肖凯欣