Digital News

2026 APEC Digital and AI Ministerial Meeting Held in Chengdu

The 2026 APEC Digital and AI Ministerial Meeting was held on July 23 in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, under the theme “Digital Technologies and AI for the Empowerment of an Asia-Pacific Community.”

The APEC Digital and AI Ministerial Meeting featured in-depth discussions on key issues, including “Advancing Digital and AI-Enabled Development,” “Promoting Universal and Meaningful Digital Connectivity,” and “Supporting Digital Inclusion and Digital Skills Development.”

The Digital and AI Ministerial Meeting is one of the key ministerial-level meetings under the APEC framework and serves as an important platform for advancing dialogue, exchanges, and cooperation in the digital and information and communications technology (ICT) sectors across the Asia-Pacific region. During the meeting, participating economies discussed ways to unlock the potential of digital and AI technologies in areas such as healthcare, education, transportation, agriculture, industry, and culture, while ensuring that the benefits of AI development are shared more broadly. They also explored approaches to building digital and ICT infrastructure that is fast, reliable, affordable, and resilient, bridging the digital divide and AI divide, and enabling people across the region to share in the opportunities and benefits brought by digital and AI technologies. According to information, this year marks the third time China has hosted APEC, following its previous host years in 2001 and 2014. Throughout the year, China will host 11 ministerial-level meetings in various fields, along with a series of related events.

Consensus Reached and Chengdu Statement Adopted

A press conference was held on the afternoon of July 23 following the conclusion of the 2026 APEC Digital and AI Ministerial Meeting. At the meeting, participating economies reached consensus and adopted the 2026 APEC Digital and AI Ministerial Statement (also known as the Chengdu Statement).

All parties agreed to jointly advance the use of digital and AI technologies to empower the Asia-Pacific community, providing an action framework for deeper cooperation in digital and AI technologies in the coming years in the region. Experts noted that the Statement sends a strong signal that the benefits of technological advancement should be shared by all APEC economies and people throughout the region. Through multiple approaches, including capacity building, experience sharing, and public education programs, economies will work to enhance digital and AI literacy and skills among their populations. These efforts aim to ensure that digital and AI development combines technological innovation with tangible improvements to people’s lives, helping bridge the digital and AI divides and ensuring that everyone can access and benefit from technological advancement.

Jiang Mingtao, Director of the National Industrial Information Security Development Research Center, said: “24 years ago, the Telecommunications and Information Ministers’ Meeting focused on ‘building fiber-optic networks and expanding connectivity,’ primarily addressing basic digital connectivity issues. Today, while continuing to promote universal and meaningful digital connectivity, the focus has shifted further toward digital empowerment—namely, how digital and AI technologies can genuinely drive transformation across industries and contribute to greater public well-being.”

China’s core AI industry has now exceeded RMB 1.2 trillion in market size. According to data from the Public Service Platform for the Integration of Informatization and Industrialization, by the end of December 2025, the adoption rate of digital R&D and design tools among Chinese industrial enterprises had reached 85.5%, while the numerical control rate of key manufacturing processes had reached 68.6%.

Source: CCTV News (CCTV-13)