Commitment reaffirmed

Zhong Feiteng, a professor at the University of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said that both on multilateral and bilateral occasions in the ROK, the Chinese president has reaffirmed China's commitment to safeguarding the multilateral trading system and making contributions to regional peace and development.

"At a time when many small and medium-sized economies worry that major powers might prioritize their own interests at the expense of regional or global stability, China has demonstrated the sense of responsibility expected of a major country," Zhong said.

He noted that when China hosted APEC for the first time in 2001, the country's per capita GDP was only around $1,000 and its economy ranked sixth in the world.

"After decades of rapid growth, China is now in a position to provide more opportunities and public goods to the world, especially in high-tech sectors," he said.

Kwon Ki-sik, head of the Korea-China City Friendship Association, said that in its two previous turns as APEC host, China drew up grand blueprints for regional peace and prosperity and helped rally strong momentum for common development across the Asia-Pacific.

"I believe next year's meeting will once again demonstrate China's firm support for multilateralism and free trade, build broader consensus on the vision of an Asia-Pacific community, and mark a new starting point for regional cooperation from Shenzhen to carry forward the 'Asia-Pacific miracle'," he told Xinhua News Agency.

Liu Chenyang, director of the APEC Study Center at Nankai University in Tianjin, said that China's comprehensive engagement in regional cooperation began with APEC, which laid an important foundation for the country's participation in global cooperation.

'Vital testing ground'

"The Asia-Pacific region, which is home to one-third of the world's population, now accounts for more than 60 percent of the global economy and nearly half of world trade, making it a vital testing ground for the global initiatives proposed by China," Liu said.

"The successful experience of building an Asia-Pacific community will, in turn, help lay the groundwork for building a community with a shared future for humanity," he added.

Cui Fan, a professor of international trade at the University of International Business and Economics in Beijing, said that after putting forward the four major global initiatives, especially the Global Governance Initiative, China's role as host of the 2026 APEC meeting will showcase the principles of these initiatives, highlight the vision of building a community with a shared future for humanity, and help advance an open, inclusive and mutually beneficial globalization.

mojingxi@chinadaily.com.cn