Former Chilean President Optimistic About APEC Meetings Impact on Asia-Pacific Economy

Beijing, November 15 (Daily Kiran) : Former Chilean President Eduardo Frei shared his insights in a written interview with Xinhua News Agency, emphasizing China’s commitment to free trade, multilateralism, infrastructure development, and technological innovation. He believes these factors are crucial for deepening cooperation and promoting shared growth in the Asia-Pacific region.

Frei expressed optimism regarding the 33rd APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting, scheduled to take place this year in Shenzhen. He anticipates that the meeting and its associated activities will inject new momentum into building an open Asia-Pacific economy and fostering regional economic integration.

He noted that China has long been a proactive supporter of a multilateral trading system and has consistently practiced true multilateralism. In the context of rising unilateralism and protectionism, Frei highlighted the importance of China’s efforts to maintain free trade. He praised China’s initiatives that advocate for open and mutually beneficial cooperation, strengthen infrastructure development, and promote technological innovation and industrial growth.

Frei views APEC as the foremost and most influential economic cooperation mechanism in the Asia-Pacific region. He believes it plays a positive role in deepening relations between Chile and China, as well as between Latin America and China. Looking forward to the upcoming APEC meeting, he hopes it will advance the creation of an Asia-Pacific free trade area, support a rules-based multilateral trading system, and leverage the benefits of Shenzhen’s technological innovations to promote progress in artificial intelligence governance and inclusive development. This, he argues, is essential for ensuring that developing economies have access to digital infrastructure and advanced technological tools.

(Sourced from China Media Group, Beijing)