Xi’s APEC Speech Lauded as a Blueprint for Inclusive Growth and Global Cooperation
President Xi Jinping’s keynote speech at the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting on Friday has drawn widespread praise from international scholars and policy experts, who described it as a pragmatic and forward-looking vision for global cooperation at a time of rising protectionism and geopolitical uncertainty.
Delivering his address titled “Building an Inclusive and Open Asia-Pacific Economy for All” in Gyeongju, South Korea, Xi called on member economies to champion openness, inclusiveness, and innovation. He emphasized that the Asia-Pacific region, the most dynamic driver of global growth, should work together to ensure that the dividends of development are shared broadly and fairly.
Xi warned that protectionism undermines common prosperity, urging nations to resist economic fragmentation and focus instead on cooperation, connectivity, and sustainable growth. His five-point proposal outlined steps to strengthen economic globalization and make it more universally beneficial, signaling China’s continued commitment to multilateralism and shared progress.
Jack Midgley, principal consultant at Midgley & Co and adjunct associate professor at Georgetown University, said Xi’s remarks offered “a refreshing shift in global dialogue from confrontation to collaboration.” He noted that Xi’s long-term vision for an open Asia-Pacific contrasts with policies in some Western nations that focus more on short-term bilateral gains. “Xi’s call for treating nations as partners rather than threats is advice that applies not only to APEC members but also to the United States, which has often viewed China through a lens of competition,” Midgley said.
The meeting followed a significant development the previous day when Xi met with U.S. President Donald Trump in Busan, their first in-person talks since 2019. The two leaders agreed to strengthen cooperation in trade, energy, and cultural exchanges, a sign that dialogue remains possible despite broader tensions.
Denis Simon, a distinguished fellow at the Institute for China-America Studies in Washington, described the Xi-Trump meeting as “a crucial reset.” He said that personal diplomacy can reinforce mutual understanding in ways that virtual communication cannot. “They looked each other in the eye and made it clear that neither side wants conflict. That kind of communication at the highest level builds confidence and stability,” Simon said.
Simon also introduced the concept of “smart openness,” an approach that encourages engagement and trade while maintaining safeguards that ensure transparency and mutual benefit. “Smart openness complements Xi’s message of inclusiveness and cooperation,” he added.
Gordon Houlden, director of The China Institute at the University of Alberta and a former Canadian diplomat, said that APEC’s mix of bilateral meetings and multilateral dialogue provides a practical framework for putting inclusive growth into action. “The regional format encourages trust-building and gives countries a platform to coordinate on shared challenges, from trade barriers to technology governance,” he said.
Experts agree that the combination of Xi’s speech and the positive atmosphere at APEC sends an important signal of stability to global markets. Robert Sutter, professor of international affairs at George Washington University’s Elliott School, noted that “the cooperative tone of APEC this year provides momentum for translating inclusive growth from rhetoric into policy.”
Observers say the message from Gyeongju is clear: openness and dialogue remain the most effective tools for maintaining prosperity in a fragmented world. Xi’s emphasis on inclusiveness, experts believe, not only reaffirms China’s role in global economic governance but also sets a pragmatic course for regional unity and shared development.
