The Youth Scholar Forum of the APEC Research Center Joint Meeting grandly opens.

Opening Ceremony

Time: May 7, 2026 (Thursday) at 8:30 AM

Venue: Lee Wen Hall, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (Shenzhen)

Host's Speech

Hosts Zhong Haonan (Student of the School of Data Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (Shenzhen), and Shaw College) and Xue Run (Graduate of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences and Houkan College) opened the forum in both Chinese and English. Zhong Haonan stated: "In May, the Phoenix City is like a sea of flowers; the Bay Area surges with tides of intellect for our future." This forum, as part of the "APEC China Year" series of events, is co-hosted by The Chinese University of Hong Kong (Shenzhen) and the APEC Research Center at Nankai University, with the Qianhai Institute for International Studies assisting, bringing together representatives of young scholars from 13 APEC economies to engage in in-depth discussions on the theme of "Shaping New Development Momentum: Youth, Innovation, and a Sustainable Future."

Important Guests

The forum invited esteemed guests from national ministries, the APEC Secretariat, the Guangdong provincial and Shenzhen municipal governments, universities, enterprises, and various sectors of society, including:

Chairman of the Forum Organizing Committee, President of The Chinese University of Hong Kong (Shenzhen) Xu Yangsheng
Executive Director of the APEC Secretariat Eduardo Pedrosa
Professor at the University of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, former Vice Secretary-General of the State Council, and Director of the National Data Expert Advisory Committee Jiang Xiaojuan
Secretary-General of the World Internet Conference and former Deputy Director of the National Internet Information Office Ren Xianliang
Member of the Standing Committee of the Shenzhen Municipal Committee and Member of the Municipal Government Party Leadership Group Chen Qing
Counselor of the International Economic Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Xu Zhongsheng
Vice Chairman of the China Education Development Foundation Ge Zhenjiang

Additionally, over 800 representatives of young scholars from APEC economies including Australia, Chile, China, Hong Kong, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, the Philippines, Russia, and Singapore, as well as specially invited scholars from Macao.

Chair's Speech

Opening Speech by Vice President Wang Cong of The Chinese University of Hong Kong (Shenzhen)

Professor Wang Cong announced: "The APEC Research Center Joint Session Youth Scholars Forum is officially opened!" He emphasized that this year marks the "China Year" of APEC 2026, and Shenzhen, as the host city for the informal meeting of APEC leaders, will demonstrate to the world the vivid practice of Chinese-style modernization and reform and opening up, with the posture of an innovative city and an open window.

President Xu Yangsheng: Practice is Key for Young Scholars

In his speech, President Xu Yangsheng stated that Shenzhen is one of the youngest major cities globally, with an average population age of 32. He encouraged young scholars to value three types of practice:

International Practice - Participate in international cooperation projects, collaborate with young scholars from different economies, and solve problems from multiple perspectives.
Practice Deeply Connected to Society - Interact with industries, communities, and public institutions to understand the complexity of real-world problems, especially integrating humanistic understanding into the AI field.
First-Hand Practical Experience - Enter factories, hospitals, and communities to confront the real human life that data cannot capture.

President Xu stated: "When we can learn and work together with people from different backgrounds, we deepen our understanding of each other and promote innovation."

Eduardo Pedrosa: Youth is the Future of APEC

Eduardo Pedrosa, Executive Director of the APEC Secretariat, pointed out in his speech that since APEC's establishment, the number of members has grown from 12 to 21, accounting for 37% of the world's population and 61% of global GDP. The average income in the Asia-Pacific region has nearly doubled, increasing from $12,000 to $31,000. He emphasized: "The future belongs to young people, and your work will play a key role in the overall process of moving forward."

Jiang Xiaojuan: AI Promotes International Communication; Youth Should Lead the Way

Professor Jiang Xiaojuan gave a speech titled "AI Promotes International Communication; Youth Should Lead the Way." She pointed out that AI is a native global technology, and well-known Chinese large model Qwen has reached 50% overseas users, while ChatGPT has 1 billion monthly active users, with over 85% being international users. Professor Jiang illustrated that the Orange Cloud Design Platform gathers over 300,000 design engineers from 17 countries to provide R&D and design services for companies in about 40 countries, reflecting the broad scope of technological globalization. She called out: "Young people are the future of this world; we are the native AI humans, and I hope you all work together to promote AI for good and create a beautiful, united, and shared world."

Ren Xianliang: Youth Should Be Pioneers of Technological Breakthroughs

Ren Xianliang, Secretary-General of the World Internet Conference, proposed three expectations:

As pioneers of technological breakthroughs driven by innovative development – Advance scientific and technological exchanges and collaborations, engaging in new technology R&D like AI, big data, and 6G.
As practitioners of mutual learning through open communication – Actively step onto the world stage, colliding ideas and inspiring creativity through exchanges.
As guardians of the digital future with a sense of responsibility – Engage in international rule-making and digital governance practices, promoting sustainable development.

He also introduced the World Internet Conference's "Global Young Leaders Program," which has selected 56 young leaders from 38 countries and regions and welcomed young scholars to participate enthusiastically.

Vice Minister of Education Ren Youqun's Video Speech

Vice Minister Ren Youqun proposed three hopes in his video speech:

Be explorers of cutting-edge technology, bravely venturing into academic "no man’s land," making original breakthroughs to benefit the people of the Asia-Pacific.
Be practitioners of green development, promoting the transition of low-carbon technologies from laboratories to production lines.
Be promoters of civilizational exchange, using our youth to enhance mutual understanding among people, injecting warm cultural tones to build an Asia-Pacific community of shared future.

Video Speech by Nankai University President Chen Yulu

President Chen Yulu, representing Nankai University, stated that the APEC Research Center at Nankai University was established in 1995, playing an advanced role in conducting APEC-related theoretical and policy research for China over the past thirty years. He looks forward to using this forum as an opportunity to deepen exchanges with counterparts from APEC member economies and jointly tackle global common challenges.

Counselor Xu Zhongsheng Introduces APEC "China Year" Progress

Counselor Xu Zhongsheng provided a detailed introduction to the theme and three priority areas of APEC "China Year":

Theme: "Building an Asia-Pacific Community and Promoting Shared Prosperity"

Three Priority Areas:

Building an open and integrated Asia-Pacific - This year marks the 20th anniversary of the proposal for the Asia-Pacific Free Trade Area vision, and discussions will explore how RCEP and CPTPP can connect, helping to take new steps in building the Asia-Pacific Free Trade Area.
Building an innovation-driven Asia-Pacific - Hosting the APEC Digital Week series of events to deepen cooperation on digital empowerment, AI infrastructure, and inclusive development.
Building a cooperative and win-win Asia-Pacific - Deepening cooperation in areas such as green low-carbon development, clean energy, finance, and transportation.

He revealed that the second APEC summit will be held in Shanghai from May 11 to May 19, and the APEC Trade Ministers' Meeting will take place in Suzhou from May 20 to May 23.

Speech by Chen Guangjun, Deputy Director of the Guangdong Provincial Foreign Affairs Office

Deputy Director Chen Guangjun introduced that in 2025, Guangdong's economic volume will exceed 14.58 trillion yuan, maintaining the national first position for 37 consecutive years, with regional innovation comprehensive capabilities ranking first nationally for nine consecutive years. The Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Guangzhou innovation cluster has ranked first in the global innovation index for the first time. He stated that this November, the 33rd informal meeting of APEC leaders will be held in Shenzhen, and Guangdong will seize this opportunity to further promote practical cooperation with APEC economies in trade and investment, scientific and technological innovation, and education and talent.

Significance of the Forum

This forum is the first APEC Youth Scholars Forum and has been listed as one of the official activities of "APEC China Year." The forum includes four sub-forums focusing on "Empowering Innovation Technology: Opportunities in AI and Digital Economy," "Regional Economic Integration: Roles and Actions of Youth," "Breaking Down Barriers: Education Redesign and Intergenerational Conflicts in the AI Era," and "Towards a Green and Sustainable Future: Youth Perspectives and Initiatives."

Professor Wang Cong stated during the moderation: "We look forward to young scholars actively sharing and engaging in deep exchanges in the sub-forums, sparking more ideas and producing valuable academic insights and collaborative initiatives."

The opening ceremony concluded successfully after a group photo with all guests, and the forum then entered the discussion phase of the sub-forums.

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