Held in Shenzhen on September 5th, the Asia-Pacific Media High-Level Forum brought together international representatives to discuss the future of regional collaboration. This year marks the "China Year" for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), with cooperation across the region expanding into multiple new areas. Attendees underscored that strengthening Asia-Pacific partnerships requires not only economic integration but also mutual understanding and people-to-people connection.
The Asia-Pacific region, home to one-third of the world's population, contributes over 60% of global economic output and nearly half of global trade, making it the most dynamic growth engine in the world. China is widely seen as a key driver and catalyst for this regional cooperation. Zhu Min, former Deputy Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), noted at the forum that China's economic structure is undergoing accelerated transformation, with new growth drivers emerging rapidly. For instance, during the first half of the year, China produced an average of over 1.5 billion integrated circuits daily and surpassed 100 trillion daily token calls. Meanwhile, institutional openness in sectors such as services and finance is steadily advancing, creating new platforms and opportunities for Asia-Pacific collaborative development.
The forum, themed "Building a Shared Asia-Pacific Community: Media Consensus and Action," was held in Shenzhen, Guangdong Province. As regional cooperation deepens, more Asia-Pacific economies are reaping the benefits of shared development. The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a flagship project under the Belt and Road Initiative, exemplifies mutual gains between China and Pakistan. Sherry Rehman, Pakistan's Minister of State for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, highlighted at the forum that as CPEC enters its second phase, the focus has shifted from infrastructure to industrialization, expanding beyond roads and power plants to include exports, technology transfer, and youth employment opportunities. "Such prosperity is visible, measurable, and tangible to the masses," she added.
Recently, a Chinese container ship made its inaugural voyage to Russia's Murmansk port, marking the start of regular cargo services connecting China's coastal ports to the largest deep-water harbor in the Russian Arctic via the Northern Sea Route. Dmitry Gornostaev, Deputy Director General of the Russian media group Today's Russia, called this milestone a gateway to new possibilities for Asia-Pacific cooperation. Beyond trade and infrastructure, attendees stressed that deeper collaboration relies on genuine mutual understanding. "Enduring partnerships are built not only on roads, ports, and investments, but also on shared narratives, trust, and understanding," Rehman said, urging the region to pursue joint prosperity through cooperation rather than coercion, open trade over barriers, and dialogue instead of discord.
Kostas Economou, Senior Vice President of CNN, pointed out that the Asia-Pacific region is brimming with economic vitality, technological innovation, and cultural diversity, connecting nations with varied historical trajectories. "This diversity should not be seen as a hindrance, but as a source of strength," he said, emphasizing that collaboration across differing perspectives is essential. Economou called for fostering dialogue to bridge gaps created by distance, language, or misunderstanding, building bridges that connect hearts and minds across the region.