China Pledges Market Support and Regional Ties at APEC SME Ministerial

Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing attended the 32nd APEC Small and Medium Enterprises Ministerial Meeting in Guangzhou, calling on Asia-Pacific economies to deepen practical cooperation and build an integrated innovation ecosystem. Addressing both the ministerial gathering and the concurrent 21st China International Small and Medium Enterprises Fair, Zhang reaffirmed Beijing's policy support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). He urged companies to pursue specialized, innovation-led development and pledged that Chinese authorities will protect the operating environment for foreign small businesses in China.

Small and medium-sized enterprises generate the majority of employment and commercial vitality across Asia-Pacific economies. Amid sluggish global trade growth and supply-chain reconfigurations, Beijing is leveraging multilateral platforms such as APEC to present itself as an open, reliable destination for foreign enterprises while urging domestic firms to master core technological capabilities.

Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing called for deeper practical cooperation and an equitable market environment across the Asia-Pacific at the opening of the 32nd APEC Small and Medium Enterprises Ministerial Meeting in Guangzhou, official media reported on September 4. Speaking to regional delegates, Zhang stated that small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) represent a vital force driving technological innovation, fostering employment, and improving living standards, citing guidance from Chinese President Xi Jinping. Zhang, a member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, outlined Beijing's priorities for regional collaboration. According to Xinhua News Agency, Zhang affirmed China's willingness to work with APEC member economies to implement major global development initiatives, construct an open and inclusive service system, and foster collaborative innovation ecosystems. He noted that Beijing seeks to maintain a fair and just market climate to help smaller businesses build resilience, contributing to an open, dynamic, resilient, and peaceful Asia-Pacific community. During his visit to Guangdong province, Zhang also addressed the opening of the 21st China International Small and Medium Enterprises Fair, held concurrently in Guangzhou. In his remarks directed at enterprises, the vice premier encouraged smaller firms to remain dedicated to their core businesses, sharpen internal capabilities, and accelerate the development of proprietary core technologies and brand value. He specifically urged companies to leverage their comparative advantages along China's designated development trajectory of specialized, refined, differential, and innovative capabilities, known domestically as "zhuanjingtexin." Turning to international economic engagement, Zhang highlighted China's willingness to expand trade exchanges, technological collaboration, and talent flows with regional partners. He stated that Chinese authorities would provide solid institutional guarantees to ensure that small and medium-sized enterprises from all economies can operate securely, invest with confidence, and pursue long-term growth within the Chinese market.