Cross-border finance can pave path to progress

With China unveiling the theme "Building an Asia-Pacific Community to Prosper Together" for APEC 2026, the spotlight is on three keywords: openness, innovation and cooperation. At a time of deep uncertainty in the global economy, this is more than a positive message from the host economy. It points to a practical direction for the Asia-Pacific and beyond to pursue a steady economic recovery.

The global economy is going through a difficult period. Protectionism and deglobalization are gaining momentum. Policies aimed at "decoupling" and "de-risking" are disrupting trade, fragmenting supply chains and eroding the trust that underpins cross-border commerce.

At the same time, many major economies are facing slower growth. High interest rates, weak demand and geoeconomic tensions are all weighing on the real economy. The ongoing conflict in Iran is having far-reaching and tangible impacts on countries in Asia and Europe, further complicating the global economic landscape.