BEIJING: China’s Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, has urged the United States to facilitate a collaborative Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in San Francisco scheduled for November. In his address on Tuesday, Wang Yi criticized efforts to exacerbate tensions between democratic and authoritarian systems, emphasizing the importance of promoting cooperation over confrontation in the global arena.
“We should… oppose advocating for ‘democracy versus authoritarianism’ and imposing our own values and models on others,” Wang Yi stated during the launch of a government report outlining proposals for what China refers to as “a global community of shared future.”
The APEC summit in San Francisco is considered an opportune moment for US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping to engage in discussions as they seek to navigate their complex bilateral relationship. However, Xi’s recent absence from the Group of 20 leaders’ meeting in India has raised questions about his attendance at APEC. When asked about Xi’s potential participation, Wang Yi provided a non-committal response, stating, “We are in communication with all parties and will make an official announcement in due course.”
China’s Leadership Role in Developing Nations
China has been positioning itself as a leader among less-developed nations, presenting an alternative to what it labels as “Western hegemony.” This stance has become more pronounced as the U.S. seeks to build alliances and partnerships with democratic countries to counter China’s expanding global influence.
In the backdrop of this diplomatic maneuvering, there have been concerns regarding invitations to the APEC summit. John Lee, the leader of Hong Kong, a Chinese territory and an APEC member, revealed that he had not yet received an invitation. Lee has been banned from entering the U.S. since 2020 due to his involvement in enforcing a national security law targeting pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong. According to APEC protocol, the host country is responsible for extending invitations to leaders of participating economies.
Wang Yi, who served as China’s foreign minister until the end of last year and now holds the position of the Communist Party’s foreign policy chief, returned to the role of foreign minister in July. His return followed the removal of his successor, Qin Gang, from office, although the government has not provided details on the reasons behind Qin’s dismissal.
