Why Business Leaders’ Voices Matter in Shaping APEC’s Future
China is set to host the 2026 APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Shenzhen, focusing on regional economic cooperation.
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SHENZHEN, China — November 13, 2026 — [ Korewire] — As China prepares to host the 2026 APEC Economic Leaders‘ Meeting in Shenzhen this November, attention is turning toward the role of businesses in shaping the future of economic cooperation across the Asia-Pacific region.
China will host the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting for the third time, following previous gatherings in Shanghai in 2001 and Beijing in 2014. This year’s theme, “Building an Asia-Pacific Community to Prosper Together,” reflects the growing importance of regional collaboration amid changing global trade patterns.
While government leaders traditionally lead discussions on trade policies, tariffs and economic integration, business leaders offer another important perspective: how regional cooperation can translate into practical economic benefits.
This is the central idea behind CGTN’s special series My Vision for APEC, featured under its Beyond the Horizon column and co-launched with the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade. The initiative brings together prominent business executives from across the Asia-Pacific to share their expectations and ideas for the region’s economic future.
Their contributions highlight the importance of connectivity, technological innovation, manufacturing cooperation, services trade and people-to-people exchanges.
Carol Tomé, CEO of United Parcel Service (UPS), emphasizes that connectivity is becoming a major source of business opportunity and competitive advantage. Her perspective reflects the growing importance of efficient logistics networks in an increasingly interconnected economy.
Wilfredo Ramos, UPS Executive Vice President and Chief International, Healthcare and Supply Chain Solutions Officer, further stresses the need for a smarter regional trading network. He highlights the importance of integrating physical transportation infrastructure with digital systems and more efficient border procedures.
From another logistics perspective, Salil Chari, Regional President of FedEx Asia Pacific, envisions a region where businesses of all sizes can access international markets more easily. His vision includes stronger digital capabilities, smoother cross-border trade and broader economic opportunities for communities throughout the region.
Technology and industrial development also feature prominently in the discussion. Brand Cheng, Chairman of Foxconn Industrial Internet, believes artificial intelligence can become an important bridge connecting Asia-Pacific economies.
He argues that future competitiveness will depend not simply on technological discoveries but on the ability to transform innovation into industrial capabilities at scale. Cooperation between economies, according to Cheng, will be essential to building stronger industrial ecosystems.
Manufacturing veteran Cao Dewang, Founder and Lifetime Honorary Chairman of Fuyao Group, offers a perspective shaped by five decades of industry experience. He emphasizes product quality, practical innovation, customer demand and openness to international markets.
Reflecting on Fuyao’s operations in the United States, Cao explains that the company’s presence there “was never about displacing or replacing local businesses, but about complementing the country’s existing industries.”
Meanwhile, Jack Chan, Chairman of Ernst & Young (EY) China and Regional Managing Partner of EY Greater China, draws attention to the expanding role of services in international commerce. He believes services trade is becoming an independent driver of economic growth, supported by professional expertise, technology, data and cross-border talent.
The human and cultural dimensions of regional cooperation are highlighted by Tsai Wang-ting, General Manager of Taiwan-based Want Want Group. Using the company’s food products as an example, Tsai illustrates how businesses and brands can build connections across cultures and create opportunities for younger generations.
“An Asia-Pacific community gains a strong and lasting foundation when industries create shared value, brands connect people across cultures, and young people have opportunities to learn and grow together,” Tsai writes.
Taken together, these perspectives suggest that regional integration requires more than reducing tariffs or negotiating trade agreements. Businesses also need predictable regulations, efficient customs procedures, reliable logistics, digital documentation and easier access to international markets.
Small and medium-sized enterprises must also have opportunities to participate in regional economic development rather than being left behind by larger corporations.
As Shenzhen prepares to welcome APEC leaders, the contributions featured in My Vision for APEC highlight an important message: Governments and businesses must work together to make regional cooperation effective.
Ultimately, the success of APEC will depend not only on policy commitments but also on whether those commitments create meaningful opportunities for companies, workers and communities throughout the Asia-Pacific.
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