A news conference for the 2026 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Digital and Artificial Intelligence Ministerial Meeting was held in Chengdu on July 23. Li Lecheng, the meeting's chair and China's Minister of Industry and Information Technology, outlined the meeting's major highlights.
First, a consensus was reached on driving innovation through digital and AI empowerment. Currently, innovation in the digital and AI sectors is unprecedentedly active, serving as a primary engine for global economic growth and a key priority for APEC cooperation. The meeting focused deeply on the theme of "Digital and AI Empowerment." All parties agreed that digital and AI technologies hold significant potential to spur sustainable growth, comprehensively empower the Asia-Pacific community, and enhance the region's productivity levels.
Second, a deepened understanding of risk prevention to ensure security and controllability was established. Technological innovation, particularly in AI, is accelerating breakthroughs, presenting both vast opportunities and governance challenges. The meeting highlighted the need to address various inherent and derivative risks that AI may trigger. It called for strengthened policy dialogue, a robust safety baseline, and the sharing of beneficial practices to prevent misuse and abuse, collectively creating a safe, reliable, trustworthy, and resilient development environment.
Third, a clear orientation was highlighted: promoting shared prosperity through cooperation. The history of Asia-Pacific prosperity demonstrates that only cooperation leads to development, while non-cooperation poses the greatest risk. Pursuing "decoupling and severing supply chains" is detrimental to all parties. The gathering of Asia-Pacific economies in Chengdu reflects a commitment to win-win cooperation and the willingness to leverage complementary advantages, aiming to spark innovation through mutual learning and achieve shared growth through mutual success.
Fourth, a target was set for inclusive and shared benefits. The meeting recognized the need to strengthen digital and AI infrastructure in the Asia-Pacific region, enhance connectivity, and promote universal and meaningful digital access. It aims to unlock the empowering potential of digital and AI technologies in sectors such as industry, agriculture, medicine, education, transportation, and culture. The goal is to bridge the digital and intelligence divide in the Asia-Pacific region, ensuring that development gains are shared universally.
Fifth, a commitment was reaffirmed to building an open and collaborative innovation ecosystem. All parties fully acknowledged that under the wave of digital and AI advancements, mutual openness based on shared interests is the only way to significantly improve innovation efficiency. The meeting reaffirmed guidance from the APEC Putrajaya Vision 2040, implementing the APEC Internet and Digital Economy Roadmap and the APEC AI Initiative (2026-2030). This will inject strong digital momentum into building an open, dynamic, resilient, and peaceful Asia-Pacific community.
According to sources from the news conference, the 2026 APEC Digital and Artificial Intelligence Ministerial Meeting focused on the theme "Digital and AI Technologies Empowering the Asia-Pacific Community," closely aligning with the 2026 APEC "China Year" theme of "Building the Asia-Pacific Community for Shared Prosperity." Ministers and representatives from APEC member economies, along with APEC observers, the APEC Secretariat, and the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC), attended the meeting. Economies engaged in frank, in-depth, and constructive discussions on three topics: "Strengthening Digital and AI Technology Empowerment for Development," "Promoting Universal and Meaningful Digital Connectivity," and "Supporting Digital Inclusion and Digital Skills Enhancement." Through persistent efforts, the meeting concluded with the Chengdu Declaration, formally known as the 2026 APEC Ministerial Declaration on Digital and Artificial Intelligence. This key outcome establishes an action framework for deepening APEC cooperation in digital and AI fields and empowering regional innovation development for the future.
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