Ren Hongbin, chairman of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, has called on Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) economies to deepen collaboration by leveraging regional free trade agreements (FTAs) and enhancing connectivity across the region. Speaking ahead of the fourth China International Supply Chain Expo in Beijing, which runs from June 22 to 26, Ren emphasized the importance of identifying common interests and strengthening industrial and supply chain links within APEC.
Ren highlighted the role of agreements such as the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) in facilitating the smooth and secure movement of people, goods, capital, and data. He also urged advancing an updated APEC connectivity blueprint to foster closer cooperation that benefits member economies. Data from China’s Ministry of Commerce showed that in 2025, China remained the largest trading partner for 13 APEC economies, with total trade between China and these countries reaching $3.7 trillion. This trade volume represented 57.8 percent of China’s overall foreign trade for that year.
China has formalized 24 FTAs or economic partnerships with 31 countries and regions, including 15 APEC members. Recent years saw upgraded agreements with APEC economies such as Singapore and Peru, signaling Beijing’s commitment to boosting regional integration and trade.
Jiang Chenghua, deputy China international trade representative at the Ministry of Commerce, addressed challenges confronting the global trading system, urging the APEC business community to exercise independent judgment and uphold the multilateral trading framework. He underscored the need to protect the stability of global industrial and supply chains amid ongoing uncertainties in the international trade environment.
Jiang also noted that China intends to further expand its openness in key sectors including trade, investment, and cross-border flows of production factors. The rapid development of digital, intelligent, and green technologies, he added, will reinforce China’s appeal as a destination for long-term investment and growth for global enterprises.
Foreign business leaders attending the upcoming supply chain expo echoed a cautious optimism about China’s market and industrial strengths. Jim Sutter, CEO of the US Soybean Export Council, pointed to a recovery in soybean imports by China, forecasting about 25 million metric tons for the 2025–2026 marketing year compared to 22.6 million tons in the previous year. He welcomed China’s recent tariff reduction announcements as a positive step and expressed confidence that these commitments would translate into tangible policy changes. Sutter also highlighted opportunities for bilateral cooperation beyond feed applications, citing value-added food products and industrial uses such as bio-based plastics and sustainable construction materials.
Elodie Latour, vice president for China at French sportswear brand Decathlon, praised China’s comprehensive industrial ecosystem and supply chain capabilities. She noted that approximately 94.2 percent of Decathlon’s products sold in China are produced locally, supported by four manufacturing plants and a network exceeding 200 stores across more than 100 cities. Latour said the company plans to increase local production further to enhance supply chain responsiveness, sustainability, and resilience across the Asia-Pacific region and beyond.