Jeju Island was buzzing with energy as APEC's 31st Ministers Responsible for Trade Meeting kicked off on Thursday. Trade ministers and senior officials from 21 member economies—including representatives from the Chinese mainland—gathered to tackle the global economic challenges head on.
Over the two-day event (May 15-16), discussions focused on sparking innovation for trade facilitation, boosting connectivity through the multilateral trading system, and shaping collaborations for sustainability. A fresh report, the "APEC Regional Trends Analysis," revealed that the region's GDP is expected to grow by only 2.6% in 2025—down from a previous forecast of 3.3%—highlighting the impact of escalating trade disputes and policy uncertainty. 😮
This dynamic meeting sets the stage for broader regional cooperation ahead of the upcoming APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting and builds momentum for China taking on the APEC hosting role in 2026. For young professionals, scholars, and culture enthusiasts, this event is a sign that even in tough times, innovative trade solutions are on the horizon.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
