The APEC CEO Summit, held in Gyeongju, South Korea, underscored the critical need for fair trade, investment liberalization, and multilateral cooperation to address global economic challenges. South Korean President Lee Jae-myung, speaking at the opening ceremony, emphasized APEC’s historical role in fostering free trade and driving regional economic growth. He called for collective efforts to achieve sustainable development and equitable prosperity, particularly in the face of rising protectionism and inward-looking policies. The summit, themed ‘Building a Sustainable Tomorrow,’ also introduced an ‘AI for All’ initiative, aiming to integrate artificial intelligence as a cornerstone of APEC’s future agenda. U.S. President Donald Trump highlighted the robust growth prospects of the U.S. economy and engaged in bilateral discussions with Lee. The event, organized by the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, brought together over 1,700 business leaders from 21 member economies to discuss pressing issues such as digital transformation, carbon neutrality, and global economic uncertainties. Chey Tae-won, chairman of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, stressed the importance of deepening trade and investment ties among APEC members to ensure regional prosperity. OECD Secretary-General Mathias Cormann warned of the adverse effects of trade tensions and policy uncertainty, urging APEC economies to resolve disputes through dialogue. Experts, including Choi Pil-soo of Sejong University, cautioned against unilateral trade measures that could undermine the global trade system, advocating for adherence to the WTO’s most-favored-nation principle.
标签： Asia
亚洲
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Shenzhou XXI launch to Tiangong space station set for Friday
China is set to launch the Shenzhou XXI spacecraft on Friday night, marking a significant milestone in its space exploration program. The mission, led by Senior Colonel Zhang Lu, will transport three astronauts to the Tiangong space station for a six-month stay. The launch is scheduled for 11:44 pm from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Inner Mongolia, utilizing a Long March 2F carrier rocket. The crew includes Major Wu Fei, the spaceflight engineer, and mission payload specialist Zhang Hongzhang, both of whom are embarking on their first space mission. The Shenzhou XXI spacecraft will employ a rapid autonomous rendezvous-docking mode to connect with the Tianhe core module of the Tiangong space station, a process expected to take approximately three and a half hours. This mission will facilitate the crew exchange with the current occupants, Senior Colonel Chen Dong, Colonel Chen Zhongrui, and Colonel Wang Jie, who have been aboard the station since late April. The Tiangong space station, completed in late 2022, remains the only independently operated space station in orbit, positioned approximately 400 kilometers above Earth. This launch underscores China’s growing capabilities in space technology and its commitment to maintaining a continuous human presence in space.
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China and Africa strengthen legal ties
In a landmark event held in Guangzhou, senior judicial officials from China and 12 African nations convened at the China-Africa Prosecutorial Cooperation Forum. The forum, themed ‘The Role of Prosecution in the Modernization Process of China and Africa,’ aimed to strengthen legal ties and enhance prosecutorial exchanges to support mutual modernization efforts. Chen Wenqing, a key figure in China’s political and legal affairs, emphasized the importance of aligning laws and policies to create a conducive legal environment for trade and development between the two regions. This initiative is part of the broader framework of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), which celebrates its 25th anniversary this year. Ying Yong, China’s top prosecutor, highlighted the role of law-based governance in China’s modernization and expressed readiness to collaborate with African counterparts in combating transnational crimes and enhancing judicial cooperation. African representatives, including Firmin Mvonde of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Dorcas Agik Abuya Oduor of Kenya, lauded China’s legal advancements and expressed eagerness to learn from its experiences in areas such as anti-corruption and digital economy legal frameworks. The forum concluded with the signing of the ‘Minutes of the China-Africa Prosecutorial Cooperation Forum,’ solidifying commitments to mutual legal assistance and the protection of shared interests.
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Xi leaves for APEC meeting, state visit to ROK
President Xi Jinping has departed for a significant diplomatic mission, attending the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit and undertaking a state visit to the Republic of Korea (ROK). This journey underscores China’s commitment to fostering regional cooperation and strengthening bilateral ties. The APEC meeting, a pivotal platform for economic collaboration, will address critical issues such as trade, innovation, and sustainable development. Xi’s presence highlights China’s proactive role in shaping the Asia-Pacific economic landscape. Additionally, his state visit to South Korea aims to deepen strategic partnerships, enhance cultural exchanges, and explore new avenues for economic cooperation. This dual engagement reflects China’s broader strategy to bolster its influence in the region and promote mutual growth. The visit is expected to yield significant agreements and reinforce the foundation for long-term collaboration between China and South Korea.
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Does US have stamina to last the race with ‘pacing threat’ China?
When Donald Trump meets with Xi Jinping on October 30, he will not be engaging with just any leader of a rival nation. Instead, he will be facing the chief representative of what the Pentagon terms the United States’ ‘pacing threat.’ This concept, which has gained traction in military and academic circles since the early 21st century, defines China as a rising near-peer whose capabilities and ambitions directly challenge the US’s global dominance. The term was notably used by Trump’s former Secretary of Defense Mark Esper in 2020 and has been continued by Biden’s Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III, who emphasizes that China poses a systemic challenge across economic, technological, political, and military domains. This designation has profound implications, as it reorients US defense planning, industrial policy, and global posture around the central question of how to keep pace with—and potentially outpace—Beijing. However, this focus on China as the primary pacing threat carries risks, including potential blind spots regarding other adversaries like Russia, Iran, and North Korea. Moreover, the US must balance long-term strategic planning with immediate readiness, ensuring it can address crises both now and in the future. Critics argue that China may already be ahead in certain areas, such as defense-industrial output and technological innovation, underscoring the urgency for the US to enhance its responsiveness and productive capacity. Ultimately, the competition between the US and China is not merely about military might but about the ability to innovate, build, and adapt more swiftly in a rapidly evolving global landscape.
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Mutual visa-free policies prove a win-win for China, S. Korea
The implementation of mutual visa-free policies between China and South Korea has proven to be a mutually beneficial strategy, significantly boosting tourism and economic growth for both nations. Experts highlight that this initiative has already shown positive results, particularly during China’s recent National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival holiday in early October. South Korea experienced a notable influx of Chinese tourists, with popular destinations and shopping malls witnessing increased activity. This surge is attributed to South Korea’s temporary visa-free policy, which allows Chinese group tourists—comprising three or more individuals—to enter the country without a visa from September 29, 2025, to June 30, 2026, for stays of up to 15 days. Previously, only Jeju Island offered such visa-free access, permitting Chinese tourists to stay for up to 30 days. This policy remains in effect. Liu Haomiao, a manager at the domestic travel platform Tuniu, reported a significant rise in group tours to South Korea, with bookings increasing by over 60% compared to September and showing a substantial year-on-year growth from 2024. The visa-free arrangement is expected to further strengthen bilateral ties and enhance economic cooperation between the two countries.
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AI support at heart of cybersecurity revision
China has enacted a significant revision to its Cybersecurity Law, which will take effect on January 1, 2026. The updated legislation, approved by the Standing Committee of the 14th National People’s Congress, places a strong emphasis on advancing artificial intelligence (AI) research and development while imposing harsher penalties for cybersecurity violations. A key addition to the law is the explicit support for foundational AI research, including the development of algorithms, training data resources, and computing infrastructure. The revision also mandates the establishment of robust AI ethics guidelines, enhanced risk monitoring, and safety oversight to ensure the responsible application of AI technologies. Furthermore, the law encourages the integration of AI into innovative cybersecurity management practices to bolster protection levels. The amendments introduce stricter penalties for violations, particularly those involving large-scale data breaches or the loss of functionality in critical information infrastructure. Operators failing to meet cybersecurity obligations could face fines ranging from 500,000 to 10 million yuan, while individuals directly responsible may be fined up to 1 million yuan. The revised law also strengthens enforcement against the dissemination of prohibited information, with fines escalating to 10 million yuan for severe violations. This marks the second revision of the Cybersecurity Law since its inception in 2016, reflecting China’s commitment to addressing emerging challenges in the digital landscape. The NPC official highlighted the law’s role in curbing harmful cyber activities while acknowledging the persistent threats of network intrusions and illegal content dissemination. The amendments aim to refine liabilities, enhance coordination with related laws, and improve the precision and consistency of cybersecurity governance.
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Beijing-Seoul joint efforts contribute to APEC’s success
As the Republic of Korea (ROK) prepares to host the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Meeting this week, with China set to take the helm next year, there is a growing sense of optimism among officials, scholars, and business leaders. They believe that the success of these consecutive events will significantly bolster free trade, economic growth, and governance across the Asia-Pacific region. The historic city of Gyeongju, once the capital of the ancient Silla Dynasty, will serve as the venue for this year’s meeting, focusing on critical themes such as sustainability, digital transformation, and trade cooperation. Park Jang-ho, director of the APEC Preparation and Support Office, highlighted Gyeongju’s selection due to its cultural heritage, historical significance, and state-of-the-art facilities. He also noted that the ROK plans to showcase its advancements in cutting-edge technologies, with prominent figures like Tesla CEO Elon Musk expected to attend. Park emphasized the deep-rooted historical ties between China and the ROK, underscoring the ROK’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations. He remarked, ‘Hosting the APEC meeting in Gyeongju is highly significant, and with China assuming the APEC presidency next year, the interactions between our two nations will become even more frequent, further enhancing our bilateral ties.’ Recent months have seen a series of high-level exchanges between the two countries, covering key areas such as APEC collaboration and bilateral cooperation. During a recent phone conversation, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and his ROK counterpart Cho Hyun expressed mutual support and a shared commitment to fostering consensus among various stakeholders. Both nations are expected to reinforce their solidarity, uphold the international trading system, champion multilateralism, and accelerate the establishment of a free trade area in the Asia-Pacific region, contributing positively to the creation of an Asia-Pacific community.
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Cruise passenger, 80, found dead after being abandoned on Great Barrier Reef island
In a tragic incident, an 80-year-old cruise passenger, Suzanne Rees, was found dead on Lizard Island, part of Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, a day after being accidentally abandoned by the crew of the Coral Adventurer. The Sydney resident had disembarked on Saturday for a planned hike to a mountain lookout with fellow passengers. However, the ship departed approximately five hours before reporting her missing later that evening. Her daughter, Katherine Rees, has accused Coral Expeditions of a ‘failure of care and common sense,’ alleging that her mother was left unescorted after feeling ill during the hike. The crew reportedly failed to conduct a passenger count before leaving the island. Suzanne Rees’ body was discovered the following day about 50 meters off the hiking trail, with evidence suggesting she had fallen from a cliff or slope. Katherine Rees has called for a coroner’s inquiry to determine whether the cruise company could have prevented her mother’s death. Coral Expeditions’ CEO, Mark Fifield, expressed condolences and assured full cooperation with ongoing investigations. The Australian Maritime Safety Authority and a workplace safety watchdog are also probing the incident. This tragedy has reignited concerns about safety standards in Australia’s Great Barrier Reef tourism industry, reminiscent of the 1998 case where an American couple was abandoned at sea and never found.
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Sinner cruises in Paris Masters opener, Zverev keeps title defence alive
Jannik Sinner made a commanding start to his Paris Masters campaign, defeating Zizou Bergs 6-4, 6-2 in a swift one-hour and 27-minute match on Wednesday. The Italian, a four-time Grand Slam champion, showcased his trademark efficiency, not facing a single break point while methodically securing breaks early in both sets. This victory keeps Sinner on track to reclaim the world number one ranking, should he clinch his maiden ATP 1000 title in Paris. His next challenge will be against Francisco Cerundolo, who earlier defeated Miomir Kecmanovic. Meanwhile, reigning champion Alexander Zverev faced a tougher battle, overcoming Camilo Ugo Carabelli in a grueling three-set match, 6-7 (5/7), 6-1, 7-5. Zverev, who narrowly avoided an early exit, will now face Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in the next round. Elsewhere, Casper Ruud suffered an unexpected defeat to Daniel Altmaier, while Daniil Medvedev advanced due to Grigor Dimitrov’s withdrawal. The tournament also saw Felix Auger-Aliassime stage a comeback victory, keeping his ATP Finals hopes alive.