Chinese state councilor calls for joint efforts to advance human resources development at APEC ministerial meeting

Chinese State Councilor Shen Yiqin attends the opening ceremony of the 8th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Human Resources Development Ministerial Meeting and delivers a speech in Nanjing, east China's Jiangsu Province, Sept. 21, 2026. (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng)

NANJING, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) -- Chinese State Councilor Shen Yiqin on Monday called for staying true to the original aspiration of Asia-Pacific cooperation, embrace changes of the times, focus on investing in people, strengthen policy coordination and uphold openness and win-win results.

Shen made the remarks at the opening ceremony of the 8th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Human Resources Development Ministerial Meeting held in Nanjing, east China's Jiangsu Province.

Shen stressed that human resources development in the Asia-Pacific region has huge potential, while also facing major challenges brought by the technological revolution and demographic shifts.

The Chinese government is willing to work with all sides to promote high-quality and full employment, strengthen vocational skills training, safeguard the lawful rights and interests of workers, and jointly promote high-level international talent exchange and cooperation, to make new contributions to building an open, dynamic, resilient, and peaceful Asia-Pacific community, Shen said.

The meeting, themed "modernizing human resources development for a stronger Asia-Pacific community", was attended by representatives from APEC economies, the APEC Secretariat, the APEC observers and relevant international organizations.

Chinese State Councilor Shen Yiqin attends the opening ceremony of the 8th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Human Resources Development Ministerial Meeting and delivers a speech in Nanjing, east China's Jiangsu Province, Sept. 21, 2026. (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng)