The APEC Economies China Studies Scholars Forum is being held at the Guangzhou Baiyun International Convention Center from June 11th to 13th. Nearly 100 Chinese and foreign experts and scholars from 16 APEC economies are gathering for multi-dimensional and in-depth academic discussions centered on the theme of "China's Development and the Shared Future of the Asia-Pacific."

At the forum, a number of foreign experts recognized the pragmatic efforts and institutional explorations already made during the APEC "China Year," while also calling for rules-based approaches to harness the dividends of green and digital technologies. Beyond these broad agendas, they also turned their attention to people-to-people exchanges and trust building among countries.

"China is expected to host a marathon of around 300 APEC-related events in multiple cities this year. The significance of this endeavor already goes far beyond its current scale," said Ong Tee Keat, President of the Belt and Road Initiative Caucus for Asia Pacific (BRICAP), Chairman of the New Asia Strategic Research Centre and former Minister of Transport of Malaysia, when speaking about the 2026 APEC "China Year." He described it as "a major watershed moment."

Ong noted that China is bringing emerging areas such as artificial intelligence, green energy transition and the digital economy to the core agenda. This, he said, shows that APEC is working to maintain its relevance and leading role in a rapidly changing economic landscape.

Many foreign scholars attending the forum agreed that, amid a sluggish global economic recovery and mounting geopolitical challenges, APEC should continue to serve as a stabilizer and booster for regional cooperation. They expressed expectations that the APEC "China Year" will open a new chapter for the Asia-Pacific that is inclusive, pragmatic and sustainable.

外眼看APEC：期待“中国年”书写亚太新篇章

6月11日至13日，“APEC经济体中国问题研究专家论坛”（APEC Economies China Studies Scholars Forum）在广州白云国际会议中心举行。来自16个APEC经济体的近百位中外专家学者，围绕“中国的发展与亚太的共同未来”核心主题，将开展多维度、深层次学术研讨。

会上，多位外籍专家既肯定了“中国年”已有的务实作为与制度探索，也呼唤以规则驾驭绿色与数字技术红利；更在宏大议题之外，将目光投向各国人文交往与信任的搭建。

“中国今年预计在多个城市举办约300场‘马拉松式’的APEC系列活动，这个意义已经远远超越了它当前的规模本身。”提到2026年APEC“中国年”，亚太“一带一路”共策会会长、新亚洲战略研究中心主席、马来西亚原交通部部长翁诗杰将其定性为“重要的分水岭”。

翁诗杰关注到，中国正将人工智能、绿色能源转型、数字经济等新兴领域推向核心议程，这标志着APEC正在努力在快速变化的经济环境中保持自身的时代相关性和领先作用。

多位与会外籍学者一致认为，在全球经济复苏乏力、地缘政治挑战加剧的背景下，APEC应继续发挥区域合作“稳定器”与“助推器”的作用，期待APEC“中国年”书写包容、务实、可持续的亚太新篇章。

文｜记者 郭子扬 朱嘉乐
图｜主办方提供
译 | 郑奕玲
审 | 曾敏