Apec meeting 'achieves results, consensus'

Minister of Finance Lan Foan said the Apec Finance Ministers' Meeting has achieved "practical" results. The 2026 Apec Finance Ministers' Joint Statement and a policy statement on enhancing regional cooperation on digital infrastructure financing were issued as the two-day event wrapped up in Hong Kong. Speaking at a press conference, Lan said Apec member economies have agreed to strengthen macroeconomic communication and coordination to cope with external risks and challenges. “Our members agreed that we should enhance the soundness of our macroeconomic policies, further strengthen macro policy communication and coordination, boost the resilience of fiscal and financial systems, better address uncertainties and destabilising factors weighing on economic growth, and safeguard regional economic and financial stability,” the finance minister said. “At the same time, we should fully unlock the potential of emerging technologies, such as AI, to raise productivity and cultivate new growth drivers and inject new impetus into Asia-Pacific economic growth.” Lan added that Apec members agreed to promote practical financial and economic cooperation to support long-term sustainable development in the region. He said members highlighted the importance of boosting household spending and domestic demand. The minister also said the meeting formulated two professional documents and summarised the work of a young financial talent programme. On promoting digital...