2026 marks the APEC "Year of China." From the APEC Digital Week currently in full swing in Chengdu to the APEC summit scheduled for November in Shenzhen, China—as the host—is actively fostering deeper exchanges among all parties centered on openness, innovation, and cooperation. 

As artificial intelligence increasingly integrates into economic and social development, the question of how to transition technological innovation from the laboratory to the production line—and transform development opportunities into broadly shared benefits—has become a topic of common interest across the Asia-Pacific region. In an interview with CRI Online, Eduardo Pedrosa, Executive Director of the APEC Secretariat, noted that China’s practices in integrating AI with the real economy and building digital ecosystems demonstrate diverse pathways for technology to drive high-quality development, while also offering a valuable reference for regional digital cooperation.

AI Reshapes the Future: New Challenges for Asia-Pacific Digital Cooperation

Artificial intelligence is reshaping the digital economy at an unprecedented pace, yet the Asia-Pacific region remains in the early stages of the technology's large-scale adoption. Pedrosa noted that unlocking the potential of AI while ensuring its benefits reach all economies has become a central issue for regional digital cooperation. Given the inherently cross-border nature of the digital economy, its growth relies not only on the efficient flow of data but also on the establishment of a trusted, interconnected, and interoperable digital ecosystem among economies. He emphasized that no single economy can go it alone; deepening cooperation is key to driving the sustainable development of the regional digital economy.

Pedrosa further highlighted the growing value of APEC in this context. As a platform for open cooperation, APEC does not seek to impose a unified system; instead, it focuses on enhancing compatibility and synergy among diverse institutional and technological frameworks, ensuring that the fruits of digital development reach a wider range of businesses and people.

He specifically pointed out that micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs)—which account for approximately 97% of all businesses in the Asia-Pacific region and generate about half of its jobs—stand to benefit significantly from the widespread adoption of AI. Helping these enterprises bridge the digital divide and share in the opportunities presented by AI development is crucial not only for regional economic innovation and vitality but also for the inclusiveness of the digital economy. Currently, APEC is coordinating efforts across various mechanisms—including those focused on the digital economy, SMEs, and human resource development—to foster synergy among technological innovation, industrial growth, talent cultivation, and social well-being, thereby building a more open, inclusive, and people-centered regional digital economy ecosystem.

APEC China Year: Building Regional Consensus Through Open Cooperation

This year marks APEC’s "China Year," themed "Building an Asia-Pacific Community and Promoting Shared Prosperity," with a focus on three priority areas: openness, innovation, and cooperation. Pedrosa believes that China, as the host, will create further opportunities for economies to deepen communication and build consensus.

He stated that APEC is committed to fostering dialogue and coordination based on non-binding principles. From leaders' meetings to the sidelines, APEC provides a platform for face-to-face interaction among diverse economies. Leaders from economies such as China, the United States, Russia, and Australia gather here to exchange views and interact; this mechanism of open and inclusive dialogue is precisely what distinguishes APEC from other regional cooperation platforms.

From Chengdu to Shenzhen: Accelerating the Real-World Application of AI in China

Pedrosa believes that as artificial intelligence increasingly integrates into economic and social development, its value lies not only in boosting individual productivity but also in driving industrial upgrading and urban innovation. From technological exploration to practical application, Chinese cities are demonstrating diverse pathways through which AI empowers the real economy.

He was deeply impressed by the innovative practices in Chengdu—host of the APEC "Digital Week"—and Shenzhen, the host city of the APEC Summit. "I noticed that Chengdu is striving to transform itself into a city that integrates innovation and software technology into manufacturing processes, vigorously promoting the deep integration of AI and manufacturing," he said. "Meanwhile, Shenzhen is dedicated to exploring new processes and technologies and is working hard to translate these innovations into practical applications."

Source: CRI Online (China Media Group) | Reporters: Hu Xiaowei, Hu Siying