About APEC

  ( Chinese ) Subject: Reaffirming 25 Years of the “ Global Channel–TES ” Blueprint Legacy To: Representatives of All APEC Economies APEC 2026, Shenzhen From: Peter Li-Chang Kuo/ Co-Founder, Panhornic ComMec Inc. Date: Monday, February 2, 2026 Dear Distinguished Representatives, As APEC 2026 opens in vibrant Shenzhen — now recognized as a global center of digital innovation—we are reminded as if it were yesterday of President Jiang Zemin’s invitation for us to attend the Shanghai APEC meetings in 2001. At that time, President Jiang wished to understand the substance of the “ E-Commerce Initiative ” advanced at APEC 1998: why it was described as a " multilateral trading system ," and how it could contribute to national development. Fig 1: Welcome Message of President Jiang In response, we prepared a concise, full-color leaflet — an A4 sheet folded into four A5 pages — designed for ease of carrying, explanation, and reading. In just two minutes, readers coul...

Written by Peter Li-Chang Kuo ( Chinese ) This week marks the APEC Leaders’ Week, held in Gyeongju , South Korea — the so-called “ grand gathering ” that has now drawn to a perfect close. Last year’s feast in Peru feels as if it were just yesterday, and yet another summit has already passed. Much was discussed, but upon reflection, it seems that little of substance was achieved. Fig 1: APEC 2025 Gyeongju Logo The APEC member economies account for over 40% of the global population, more than 60% of the world's economic output, and 50% of global trade volume. Since APEC's establishment in 1989, by 2025, trade and investment facilitation has lifted “ over one billion people ” out of poverty. Leaders acknowledge that as the region faces challenges such as demographic shifts, technological transformation, and reshaping of trade patterns, this formidable strength comes with increasing social responsibility. At APEC 2020 in Malaysia, the host country announced:  "...