At APEC Without Trump, Xi Jinping Proposes "Building an Asia-Pacific Community" [Gyeongju APEC]

Trump Returns to U.S. Without Attending Main Session
President Xi Delivers Summit Address
Emphasizes Multilateral Trade and Multilateralism

Chinese President Xi Jinping is moving after being greeted by Foreign Minister Cho Hyun at Busan Gimhae International Airport on the 30th. Photo by Xinhua News Agency

On October 31, Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized multilateral trade and multilateralism at the 2025 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit, proposing the creation of an "Asia-Pacific community." This statement is interpreted as a reaffirmation of his previous stance, which has criticized the United States for "unilateralism"-a reference to Washington's tariff policies that have disrupted the multilateral order.

According to Xinhua News Agency, President Xi stated in his APEC summit speech that "we must firmly uphold APEC's founding mission to promote economic growth, continue to share opportunities for open development, and achieve mutual benefit. We should pursue universal benefits and promote inclusive economic globalization."

President Xi assessed that the world is experiencing the fastest changes in a century and that the international situation is becoming increasingly complex, saying, "The Asia-Pacific region is facing growing instability and uncertainty in its development." He also urged, "The stronger the winds and the higher the waves, the more we must cross the river together in the same boat."

Specifically, President Xi said, "First, let us jointly safeguard the multilateral trading system," and called for "genuine multilateralism and enhancing the authority and effectiveness of the multilateral trading system centered on the World Trade Organization (WTO)." His vision includes maintaining the correct direction for WTO reform, upholding the WTO's fundamental principles such as Most-Favored-Nation (MFN) treatment and non-discrimination, ensuring that international economic and trade rules evolve with the times, and better protecting the legitimate rights and interests of developing countries.

President Xi continued, "Second, let us jointly create an open regional economic environment," mentioning trade and investment liberalization, deepening financial cooperation, and the gradual pursuit of regional economic integration. He added, "Let us leverage the high-quality implementation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and the expansion of membership in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) as opportunities to pool our strength and capabilities for the construction of a Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP)."

In addition, President Xi proposed, "Let us jointly safeguard the stability of industrial and supply chains," "promote the digitalization and greening of trade together," and "jointly foster universal and inclusive development." He noted, "China already provides zero-tariff treatment on 100% of tariff lines for the least developed countries with which it has diplomatic relations, and, through related agreements, aims to extend zero-tariff treatment to 100% of tariff lines for African diplomatic partners." He added, "China will strive for joint development and shared prosperity with all countries."

This speech came as the United States has been pushing unilateral tariff policies, prioritizing its own interests, and withdrawing from multilateral organizations. It was delivered in the context of U.S. President Donald Trump leaving the country after delivering a special address at the 'APEC CEO Summit' without attending the main session. While the Trump administration has emphasized the Asia-Pacific region, President Xi, who has consistently criticized the United States for "unilateralism" at the main session of APEC-the region's core economic cooperation multilateral organization-once again stressed multilateralism.

Previously, at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit held in Tianjin from August 31 to September 1, President Xi advocated for the "Global Governance Initiative," which emphasizes sovereign equality and multilateralism. At the military parade marking the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War (Victory Day) held in Beijing last month, he also highlighted the formation of anti-Western alliances such as the "North Korea-China-Russia coalition" and the defense of multilateralism.