APEC role in AI cooperation draws praise

APEC is playing an important role in translating artificial intelligence cooperation from strategic consensus into tangible action, experts said, as they laud China for providing significant public goods to foster regional AI development.

As AI reshapes the global economy at breakneck speed, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, the region's most influential economic cooperation mechanism, is rapidly advancing its agenda for AI collaboration.

A significant step was taken at the 2025 APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Gyeongju, South Korea, where the APEC Artificial Intelligence Initiative (2026-2030) was adopted. This initiative, the first APEC leaders' outcome focused specifically on AI, sets clear directives to promote secure, accessible, and reliable AI ecosystems for all, and to increase meaningful participation in AI transformation through cooperation and capacity-building.

Zhang Jingjia, an associate researcher at the APEC Study Center of Nankai University, emphasized APEC's unique advantage in fostering AI cooperation. "What makes APEC unique is its role as one of the few platforms where AI-leading economies and emerging economies can dialogue within the same framework. Here, the focus is on ensuring the broader distribution of technological benefits, rather than solely on regulatory alignment. This positions APEC as a natural vehicle for narrowing the AI development gap, a function that other forums struggle to achieve."

Since taking over as the APEC host last November, China has prioritized digital and smart transformations as new growth drivers for APEC economies. This focus has manifested in concrete actions.

In July, at the APEC Digital and AI Ministerial Meeting held in Chengdu, member economies adopted the Chengdu Statement. This key document focuses on promoting universal and meaningful digital connectivity and leveraging digital technologies and AI for economic growth.

Kang Hogu, director of the Sino-Korea Economy/Society Institute based in Daegu, South Korea, said the Chengdu Statement signifies APEC's deepened commitment to fostering AI-powered cooperation in the region.

"The Chengdu Statement not only emphasizes universal digital connectivity to narrow the regional digital divide but also empowers small and medium-sized enterprises and developing member economies to better integrate into global value chains driven by digital and AI technologies," Kang noted.

He said the focus of the statement on building a secure, resilient digital and AI environment provides crucial institutional safeguards for cross-border data flows and digital trade, thereby enhancing regional economic resilience. "Echoing last year's AI Initiative, the follow-up progress of the Chengdu Statement marks a shift from vision to action," Kang said.

Open platform

Further demonstrating this shift, at the APEC High-Level Forum on AI, also held in Chengdu in July, China announced plans to establish a center in Qianhai, Shenzhen, to promote APEC cooperation on cross-border data flows. The planned center will serve as an open platform for policy research, regulatory alignment and services for businesses.

Kang called the move strategically significant. "It creates a platform for cooperation in the Asia-Pacific that effectively balances development and security. AI innovation relies on data, but differing national policies often restrict cross-border data movement. The center's establishment can foster effective communication channels among member economies, reduce institutional friction, and promote efficient data flow within the region."

Zhang highlighted the practical pain points this new center could address. "The core issue facing cross-border data flow in the Asia-Pacific is not technical barriers, but incompatible rules. Enterprises engaged in cross-border AI R&D and digital trade face prohibitively high costs to adapt to varying compliance requirements. If this center can help businesses resolve relevant issues, its ripple effect on SMEs participating in regional digital trade will be significant."

During its 2026 APEC host year, China has also facilitated the release of the APEC High-Level Forum on AI Statement on Promoting AI Development in the Asia-Pacific Region and the APEC Case Collection of Digital and AI Empowerment in Asia-Pacific Region, pushing to convert consensus on AI development principles into replicable practices.

Kang praised China's leadership. "As this year's APEC host, China has provided institutional support for regional economic development and offered practical governance solutions to address the unpredictable risks arising from rapid AI development."

"Within the APEC mechanism, China is acting not just as a promoter but also as a coordinator and a leader, guiding the direction for AI development and improvement in the Asia-Pacific, while also providing replicable experience for global AI governance," said Kang.

Zhang noted that "one of the most important things China has done as host this year is to advance AI cooperation from initiatives to implementable mechanisms and projects". "The significance of AI for Asia-Pacific economic development lies in its potential as a new engine for growth," Zhang concluded.