IRIA News

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China’s President Xi Jinping took center stage at the APEC summit in Gyeongju, South Korea, after President Trump’s early departure, calling for efforts to promote economic globalization and underscoring China’s rising role as a stabilizing force in Asia-Pacific cooperation.

The two-day summit, which brought together representatives from 21 member economies, was marked by diverging visions of global trade and regional order.

While Trump’s early exit left his treasury secretary to represent the United States, Xi’s steady presence, coupled with a series of bilateral meetings and public statements, made him the focal point of the gathering.

For many observers, this was not simply a diplomatic engagement; it was China’s opportunity to demonstrate leadership in an era of shifting geopolitical power.

China’s Leadership and Message of Cooperation

In his keynote address, Xi Jinping underscored China’s commitment to multilateralism and economic openness, stating that the world stands “at a new crossroads” where nations must choose between solidarity and confrontation.

He urged Asia-Pacific economies to uphold a rules-based international order centered on fairness and mutual benefit, explicitly warning against “unilateralism and bullying.”

Xi emphasized that the region’s prosperity depends on cooperation, calling for joint efforts to safeguard the stability of global supply chains and the resilience of the world economy. He outlined five core priorities for Asia-Pacific development: protecting multilateral trade, fostering open markets, ensuring stable supply chains, advancing digital and green transformation, and promoting inclusive growth.

Throughout the summit, Xi framed China’s approach as pragmatic and forward-looking. He stressed that economic globalization should not be reversed, arguing that openness brings progress while isolation leads to stagnation. His remarks, delivered to both the APEC leaders and the business community, reflected Beijing’s ambition to champion free trade at a time when protectionist tendencies have grown among major economies.

A Summit Without Consensus

The Gyeongju summit also revealed the growing strain within APEC itself. Differences over trade, technology, and governance have deepened among member economies, complicating efforts to produce a unified joint declaration.

Although participants agreed on a general commitment to sustainable and inclusive growth, the final statement lacked strong language on multilateralism or reform of global trade institutions.

In recent years, rising economic nationalism, geopolitical rivalries, and pandemic-driven disruptions have weakened the coherence between APEC nations. The inability to present a unified vision underscores the shifting balance of power, one in which China now plays an increasingly assertive role.

For Beijing, this moment served to highlight the contrast between its commitment to continuity and Washington’s unpredictable engagement. Xi’s remarks portrayed China as a reliable partner advocating stability and shared prosperity, while the U.S. appeared increasingly disengaged.

China’s Expanding Diplomatic Outreach

Beyond the main sessions, Xi’s bilateral meetings with several leaders drew significant attention. His discussions with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi were closely watched. Xi called for a “strategic and mutually beneficial relationship” between China and Japan, urging both sides to view each other as partners rather than threats.

The meeting emphasized Beijing’s preference for stable and pragmatic ties with Tokyo, particularly on issues of economic cooperation and supply-chain resilience. Xi also encouraged Japan to handle sensitive historical and security issues in a manner that avoids confrontation, reflecting China’s broader aim of maintaining equilibrium with its regional neighbors.

China’s outreach was not limited to Japan. Xi also held talks with other Asia-Pacific partners, emphasizing the importance of connectivity, innovation, and sustainable development. Each meeting reinforced Beijing’s vision of a regional community bound by shared interests rather than rivalries.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney met President Xi, marking the first formal bilateral meeting between the two countries’ leaders since 2017. The meeting took place amid strained Canada-U.S. trade relations and years of diplomatic tension between Ottawa and Beijing.

According to China’s state broadcaster, Xi said China values Canada’s readiness to improve ties and is willing to work together to put relations “back on track.”

Carney’s office confirmed discussions on trade issues, including agriculture, seafood, and electric vehicles, adding that he accepted Xi’s invitation to visit China. Analysts described the meeting as a “change in tone,” though not a full return to strategic partnership.

Carney has emphasized the importance of re-engagement with China despite ongoing security concerns and trade disputes. Both sides signaled a cautious willingness to rebuild trust while navigating complex political and economic challenges.

Economic Vision and Regional Strategy

Xi’s speech at the APEC CEO Summit reinforced China’s long-term economic strategy. He outlined Beijing’s support for a more resilient global economy through digital transformation, green development, and coordinated policy planning. The message was clear: China intends to lead, not follow, in shaping the next phase of Asia-Pacific economic growth.

He reiterated that economic interdependence is not a weakness but a strength, urging economies to resist the temptation of decoupling or protectionism. “We should join hands rather than part ways,” Xi said, appealing to business leaders to strengthen cooperation in technology, energy transition, and infrastructure development.

The two heads of state jointly witnessed the exchange of cooperation documents in fields such as economy and trade, finance, agriculture, law enforcement, and science and technology. pic.twitter.com/rYN9dgsWiK

— Mao Ning 毛宁 (@SpoxCHN_MaoNing) November 1, 2025

Xi Jinping also reaffirmed China’s readiness to host the next APEC summit in Shenzhen, describing it as a testament to Beijing’s commitment to the regional framework. His statement positioned China not merely as a participant but as a steward of Asia-Pacific cooperation, a role it increasingly embraces as U.S. engagement fluctuates.

Broader Implications

Xi’s prominence at the summit inevitably drew comparisons with Washington’s subdued role. Trump’s decision to return to Washington before the main session signaled a broader U.S. retreat from multilateral diplomacy, particularly in economic affairs. For other leaders, his absence symbolized the shifting dynamics of global leadership.

By contrast, Xi’s active engagement, measured tone, and emphasis on partnership allowed China to project itself as the responsible stabilizer in uncertain times. His rhetoric of shared prosperity and mutual respect resonated with smaller economies seeking alternatives to great-power competition.

Still, the summit also highlighted lingering unease among some participants. Concerns over China’s growing influence, assertive foreign policy, and domestic economic slowdown remain prevalent. Yet in the absence of U.S. initiative, few nations appeared willing to challenge Beijing’s leadership role outright.

The Future of APEC and Regional Order

The Gyeongju summit underscored both the fragility and the necessity of regional cooperation. As economic interdependence deepens and global challenges multiply, from climate change to technological disruption, no single nation can afford isolation. Xi’s message sought to frame China’s leadership as a source of stability and opportunity rather than dominance.

Whether that vision materializes depends on Beijing’s ability to balance its national interests with genuine openness and reciprocity. For APEC, the task ahead lies in revitalizing its mission amid competing political priorities. Without renewed commitment from all members, the organization risks becoming a forum of symbolic gestures rather than actionable cooperation.

As leaders departed Gyeongju, one conclusion seemed inescapable: this summit belonged to Xi Jinping. In the absence of his American counterpart, he not only filled the diplomatic vacuum but also redefined the conversation on Asia-Pacific economic governance. His emphasis on multilateralism, supply-chain stability, and inclusive growth may set the tone for regional diplomacy in the coming years.

For now, the Asia-Pacific finds itself navigating between two competing visions, one characterized by retrenchment and unilateralism, the other by engagement and cooperation. The Gyeongju summit may have been brief, but it captured the essence of that choice. As Xi prepares to host APEC next year, China appears poised to consolidate its role as the primary architect of the region’s evolving economic order.