By GONG Qian

Over the past decades, the Asia-Pacific region has become the world's most dynamic and interconnected region, contributing 70 percent of global economic growth.

The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) has played a crucial role in making the Asia-Pacific the center of this growth, contributing to the global economic recovery with its strong radiating effect, Song Junying, director of the Department of Latin American and Caribbean Studies at the China Institute of International Studies, told Science and Technology Daily.

With the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting held in Lima, Peru, on November 16, the spotlight is on the region again, especially China's role.

China has been an important participant of APEC and a major contributor. It has proposed several initiatives and taken action to provide a strong momentum for the development of the Asia-Pacific.

For example, China and ASEAN announced a substantial conclusion of Version 3.0 China-ASEAN Free Trade Area (FTA) upgrade negotiations in October. This will advance China-ASEAN economic integration and boost APEC's long-term goal of establishing a Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP).

With a new round of scientific and technological revolution and industrial transformation, green and digital transitions have become a major driver of economic growth. China is leveraging its strength in information technology, digital economy, and green and low-carbon growth to create more opportunities for its partners in the Asia-Pacific region, Song said.

China and Peru's leaders inaugurated the Chancay Port in Peru on November 14. As an important project under Belt and Road cooperation, the Chancay Port is the first smart and green port in South America using digital technologies for automated management. This will significantly improve its efficiency and support economic development and trade logistics in the Asia-Pacific, Song said.

The completion of the port will also boost the overall development and integration of Latin America and the Caribbean.

In Chile, the public transport consists of Chinese made electric buses, which help reduce emissions and build clean cities.

Asia-Pacific economies face common challenges, from geopolitical conflicts to climate change, and none can remain unscathed. Only by enhancing resilience to global challenges through further openness and cooperation can there be shared prosperity and stability.

To maintain openness and cooperation, APEC members should continue to implement the Beijing Roadmap for APEC's Contribution to the Realization of the FTAAP, which was endorsed by APEC leaders in 2014, Song said.

APEC members should also seek common ground while reserving differences, consolidate consensus, and resist trade protectionism, he added.

China, which will host the 2026 APEC Summit, has said it will work with all parties to realize the Putrajaya Vision 2040, the blueprint endorsed by APEC leaders in Malaysia in 2020. It envisions an open, dynamic, resilient, and peaceful Asia-Pacific community for the prosperity of all and future generations.