（来源：《韩国先驱报》 2025-10-31）

“APEC stands as a cornerstone of the global economy, playing a pivotal and influential role that cannot be ignored.”

                                            ——Wang Zhimin

（researcher in the Academy of China Open Economy Studies of the University of International Business and Economics in Beijing）

Amid rising global trade and economic uncertainty,the AsiaPacific Economic Cooperation Economic Leaders’ Meeting to be held in Gyeongju over two days from Oct 31 will bring member economies together with a powerful call for collaboration and a renewed commitment to the multilateral trading system,experts say.

At a meeting of APEC Ministers Responsible for Trade held on Jeju Island in May,APEC member economies expressed concern over the“fundamental challenges faced by the global trading system”and reaffirmed their commitment to APEC as the primary platform for regional economic collaboration and tackling shared economic challenges in the Asia-Pacific.

The statement voiced support for the continued role of the World Trade Organization,while acknowledging its shortcomings.“We recognize the importance of the WTO in advancing trade issues,and acknowledge the agreed-upon rules in the WTO as an integral part of the global trading system,”it said.

The WTO“needs meaningful,necessary and comprehensive reform to improve all its functions,through innovative approaches,to be more relevant and responsive in light of today’s realities”,it said.

Experts said that in a world increasingly marked by division and conflict,APEC must stand united,demonstrate the resolve to overcome shared challenges,and contribute positive momentum to the evolving multipolar global order.

Wang Zhimin,a researcher in the Academy of China Open Economy Studies of the University of International Business and Economics in Beijing,said APEC economies play a crucial role in shaping the trajectory of global economic growth.

“The 21 APEC member economies are home to 3 billion people,almost 40 percent of the world’s population,and account for nearly half of global trade and more than 60 percent of global GDP.With such formidable collective strength,APEC stands as a cornerstone of the global economy,playing a pivotal and influential role that cannot be ignored.”

Chen Hong,executive director of the Asia Pacific Studies Center at East China Normal University in Shanghai,said APEC member economies should explore new avenues for economic collaboration and work together to shape new rules that advance regional connectivity and development.

“APEC brings together major global economies,including China and the United States,and spans both developed and developing nations,giving it a pivotal role in the world economy.It should function as a platform to bridge differences and rebuild trust.Through sustained dialogue,APEC can help prevent the fragmentation of the global trading system and uphold multilateralism.

“Given that APEC economies account for a substantial share of global GDP and trade,their collective political will is a critical force in advancing WTO reform.APEC should work together to restore the full functioning of key WTO bodies,update subsidy rules and renew the global trade framework.In this sense, APEC’s joint efforts are indispensable.It is rightly seen as an engine driving global trade reform.”

APEC and the WTO can advance in a mutually reinforcing way,Chen said.

“APEC economies should commit to safeguarding the WTO’s dispute settlement mechanism,restoring confidence in multilateral negotiations,and fully leveraging APEC meetings at all levels to provide political guidance and momentum for WTO reform and negotiations.

“In response to rising trade frictions and uncertainties,APEC could set up a dedicated dialogue mechanism to enhance information sharing on tariffs,nontariff barriers,and supply chain resilience.The platform could also host political consultations to resolve misunderstandings,while launching concrete initiatives in trade facilitation,supply chain connectivity and support for small and medium-sized enterprises seeking to integrate into global value chains.”

Daryl Guppy,an international financial technical analyst and a former national board member of the Australia China Business Council in Melbourne,said the foremost responsibility of APEC member economies is to maintain unity of purpose in the face of efforts to create division within the organization.

“To achieve rapid modernization,the forum should concentrate on areas of consensus rather than be sidetracked by disagreements over details.Any reforms to the WTO or the global trade framework should be pursued through cooperation and mutual agreement,which is a challenging,yet achievable, task.”

Wang said,“With its broad coverage and significant trade volume,APEC must uphold the rules-based multilateral trading system,deepen cooperation in areas such as the digital economy,supply chain resilience,and green development,and drive the liberalization and facilitation of global trade.”

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https://www.koreaherald.com/countryreport