13Youth Scholars from 13 Economies Gather at the Foot of the Fairy Lake to Co-Create New Dynamics for Development in the Asia-Pacific

In May, in the city of Pengcheng, the grass and trees flourish; by the Fairy Lake, a gathering of the wise is present. On May 7, 2026, the “Young Scholars Forum of the APEC Research Center Joint Meeting” officially commenced at The Chinese University of Hong Kong (Shenzhen). This is the first academic forum in the history of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) family specifically held for young scholars, included in the series of events for the “APEC China Year.”

The forum, themed “Co-Creating New Dynamics for Development: Youth, Innovation, and a Sustainable Future,” took place from May 7 to 8. Representatives of young scholars from 13 economies including Australia, Chile, China, Hong Kong, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, the Philippines, Russia, Singapore, as well as senior officials from the APEC Secretariat attended the forum, with special invitation extended to scholars from Macao, China, to discuss new dynamics for development in the Asia-Pacific.

Vice Minister of Education Ren Youqun addressed the event via video, encouraging young scholars from APEC member economies to be explorers of frontier technologies, practitioners of green development, and promoters of mutual learning among civilizations, contributing a continuous stream of youthful strength to building an open, inclusive, and mutually beneficial Asia-Pacific community of shared destiny.

This forum closely aligns with the annual vision of the 2026 "APEC China Year," "Gathering in Shenzhen to Create a Beautiful Asia-Pacific Together," and marks the first time that young people’s power under the APEC framework has independently and systematically taken to the dialogue stage of regional cooperation, holding significant historical meaning and demonstration value.

Discourse by the Lake

Wise Ones Discuss the Future of the Asia-Pacific

The opening ceremony was hosted by Wang Cong, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of The Chinese University of Hong Kong (Shenzhen). APEC Secretariat Executive Director Eduardo Pedrosa, Director of APEC Secretariat’s Department of Communications and Public Affairs Fernando Salas, Professor Jiang Xiaojuan of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, former Deputy Secretary-General of the State Council, Director of the National Data Expert Advisory Committee, Secretary-General of the World Internet Conference Ren Xianliang, Economic Counsellor Xu Zhongsheng of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, member of the Standing Committee of Shenzhen Municipal Committee Chen Qing, Vice Chairman of the China Education Development Foundation Ge Zhenjiang, Deputy Director of the Guangdong Provincial Government Foreign Affairs Office Chen Guangjun, Director of Shenzhen Talent Bureau Luo Bing, Chairman of the Forum Organizing Committee, President of The Chinese University of Hong Kong (Shenzhen) Xu Yangsheng, Vice Chairman of the Forum Organizing Committee, Dean of the School of Public Policy and Graduate Institute of International Affairs Zheng Yongnian, Director Liu Chenyang of the APEC Research Center at Nankai University, and other leaders and over 800 university officials attended the opening ceremony. Guests and young scholars from the 13 economies gathered together to witness this historic moment of academic exchange for youth in the Asia-Pacific.

Chairman of the Forum Organizing Committee, Professor Xu Yangsheng, President of The Chinese University of Hong Kong (Shenzhen):

Connecting the World through Practice, Letting Youth Define the Future

Professor Xu Yangsheng, President of The Chinese University of Hong Kong (Shenzhen), spoke as the host, warmly welcoming and sincerely thanking the attending guests and all partners. He noted that Shenzhen, as one of the world’s youngest major cities, has an average age of only 32 years, while The Chinese University of Hong Kong (Shenzhen) gathers over 1,000 international students from 41 countries and regions, stating, “When people from different backgrounds learn and work together, understanding and innovation become even more powerful.”

President Xu expressed heartfelt words to young scholars: “The next golden 30 years of APEC need youth to participate and, more importantly, need youth to define.” He particularly emphasized the importance of “practice” for young scholars, encouraging them to value three types of practice: first, international practice, to become future bridge builders through cross-cultural direct contact; second, practice with deep connections to society, as a comprehensive understanding of humanity, culture, and social dynamics in the age of artificial intelligence is key to imparting soul to the AI-driven era; and third, experiential practice to cultivate judgment and empathy, linking knowledge with responsibility.

APEC Secretary-General Eduardo Pedrosa:

Gathering Youth Wisdom to Co-Create an Open, Vibrant, and Resilient Future in the Asia-Pacific

In his address, APEC Secretary-General Eduardo Pedrosa thanked the forum organizers and attendees. He pointed out that young scholars represent a new wave of innovation and research, which will inject new vitality into Asia-Pacific cooperation and academic development. He reviewed that since APEC’s establishment 37 years ago, the number of members has grown from 12 to 21, covering 37% of the world’s population and contributing approximately 61% of the GDP.

Regarding the forum’s theme, Pedrosa remarked that the world is currently undergoing profound changes, and young scholars possess unique perspectives and innovative capabilities that will make important contributions to building a more open, vibrant, and resilient APEC family.

Professor Jiang Xiaojuan of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences:

AI Promotes International Communication, Youth Should Be the Vanguard

Professor Jiang Xiaojuan of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences delivered a speech titled “AI Promotes International Communication, Youth Should Be the Vanguard.” She cited President Xi Jinping’s important statement that “artificial intelligence is a young cause and also a cause for young people,” noting that AI is a “technological form of native globalization,” naturally oriented toward global development and application from the largest models to the smallest products.

Using the example that over 50% of users of China's Qianwen model are overseas, and more than 85% of the monthly active users of ChatGPT are from abroad, Jiang vividly illustrated that digital technology has transcended borders from its inception. She stated that in this era, all people, technologies, products, and consumption are “native globalization.” She encouraged the young scholars present: “Young people are the future of this world. I hope you will work hand in hand to promote AI for good, co-create a beautiful, united, and shared world.”

Secretary-General of the World Internet Conference Ren Xianliang:

Be the Vanguard, Explorer, and Contributor at the Forefront of the Times

Secretary-General Ren Xianliang of the World Internet Conference fully affirmed the power of youth in his speech. He stated that youth are the most dynamic and creative group, and the most active and vibrant force. Currently, the economic and social development of the Asia-Pacific and even the whole world faces unprecedented opportunities for growth, as well as complex and severe risks and challenges. The younger generation is not only a witness to the changes of the times but also an important force in bridging gaps, leading innovation, and driving transformation.

Regarding how youth can drive change in the current wave of global digital transformation, shape the future, and benefit society, Ren shared three insights: first, be pioneers of technological breakthroughs propelled by innovative development; second, be practitioners of mutual learning and appreciation via open communication; third, be guardians of the digital future with a sense of responsibility. Finally, he expressed heartfelt wishes to the youth: “I hope all young friends treasure the time, strive hard, and bravely be the pioneers, innovators, and contributors at the forefront of the times, uniting power through solidarity, empowering development through innovation, and winning the future through action.”

President of Nankai University Chen Yulu:

Deepening Communication and Cooperation to Build a Closely-knit and United Asia-Pacific Community

President Chen Yulu of Nankai University delivered a speech via video. He pointed out that the founding of the Young Scholars Forum at the arrival of the third “APEC China Year” is a beneficial expansion and innovation in the development process of APEC. He introduced the “Nankai Wisdom” contributed by the APEC Research Center at Nankai University over more than 30 years to peace and development in the Asia-Pacific. He expressed his expectation to use this forum as an opportunity to deepen exchanges and interactions with colleagues from APEC member economies, working together to face global common challenges, and to gather more consensus to promote the construction of a closer and more united Asia-Pacific community.

Economic Counsellor Xu Zhongsheng of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs:

Injecting Youth Power into “APEC China Year” with Innovative Thinking and Academic Wisdom

Economic Counsellor Xu Zhongsheng of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs introduced the relevant arrangements for the 2026 "APEC China Year" in his speech. In the context of significant changes over the past century, the Asia-Pacific's development faces multiple challenges. As the host of APEC in 2026, China prioritizes “openness, innovation, and cooperation” as the three key areas to build an Asia-Pacific that is open and integrated, innovation-driven, and mutually beneficial. He looks forward to young scholars leveraging their professional advantages and academic wisdom to provide intellectual support for the work related to “APEC China Year” and contribute youthful strength to shared prosperity in the Asia-Pacific.

Deputy Director Chen Guangjun of Guangdong Provincial Government Foreign Affairs Office:

Dare to Be First, Uniting Youth for the Future

Deputy Director Chen Guangjun of Guangdong Provincial Government Foreign Affairs Office stated in his address that Guangdong is at the forefront of China's reform and opening up, serving as an important gateway to the Asia-Pacific and the world, providing a vast space for young talents from the Asia-Pacific to showcase their talents and realize their ideals. The theme of this forum aligns with the common interests and development aspirations of various economies in the Asia-Pacific, and he hopes that young scholars will use this opportunity to deepen exchanges, enhance mutual trust, and contribute wisdom and inject momentum to the stability, prosperity, and sustainable development of the Asia-Pacific region.

Wisdom from All Directions

Four Forums Discussing the Theme of the Times

After the opening ceremony, the forum entered the academic discussion phase, engaging in deep dialogues around the most cutting-edge issues of the times. This marked the first academic dialogue among APEC family members about the future, innovation, and youth. The four sub-forums each focused on different aspects, collectively addressing the core question: How can the Asia-Pacific cultivate new development dynamics in a world full of uncertainties, and how can youth play a more active and constructive role in this process?

The sub-forum “Empowering Innovation Technology: Opportunities of AI and the Digital Economy” focused on how artificial intelligence reshapes the industrial landscape of the Asia-Pacific, exploring pathways for technology-driven regional common prosperity; “Regional Economic Integration: The Role and Actions of Youth” examined how youth can actively participate in regional cooperation processes from multidimensional perspectives such as research, policy advocacy, and entrepreneurial innovation; “Broken Walls: Education Reshaped in the AI Era and Intergenerational Conflicts” focused on the systematic impact of artificial intelligence on traditional educational paradigms, discussing deep-seated issues of educational equity and intergenerational change in the tide of technology; “Towards a Green and Sustainable Future: Perspectives and Initiatives of Youth” gathered voices from Asia-Pacific youth, exploring new opportunities for cross-regional green cooperation around climate action and sustainable development. In all four forums, young scholars from various economies freely expressed their thoughts by the Fairy Lake, providing academic insights, proposing action plans, sharing their economy's experiences, and exploring more possibilities for cross-regional collaboration.

Technological advancements continuously rewrite industrial ecology, artificial intelligence profoundly reshapes educational formats, and green transformation continually reconstructs development pathways—youth is the most vibrant core force pushing all these changes forward. The special establishment of the Young Scholars Forum by APEC is a solemn affirmation of this power. On May 8, attending young scholars will also visit leading science and technology enterprises in Shenzhen for field studies and industry-academia-research dialogues, enhancing understanding and inspiring thought in real innovation scenarios, extending the collisions of ideas from the forum into personal experiences of Shenzhen’s innovative ecology.

Lake and Mountain as Witness

The Triple Resonance of Youth, Innovation, and Openness

In 2026, the story of “APEC China Year” begins in Shenzhen. This city, born from reform and opening up and thriving through innovation and creation, with the spirit of “daring to explore and to be first,” becomes the most compelling testament to Asia-Pacific innovative cooperation. Countless young people chase the wind and the moon here, writing the innovation legends of the city with their wisdom and sweat. Hosting APEC's first Young Scholars Forum in Shenzhen is not only a geographical gathering, but also a deep resonance between youth spirit and the city’s character.

The choice of The Chinese University of Hong Kong (Shenzhen) as the venue for APEC's first Young Scholars Forum is a natural intersection of the three spirits: youth, the city, and the university. As a young, open, and international university, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (Shenzhen) provides a platform for Asia-Pacific young scholars to exchange, forge consensus, and expand cooperation. Representatives present here exchanged views, inspired each other, collided ideas, strengthened friendships, and explored more potential for cross-regional cooperation through diverse dialogues.

At this important juncture of the “APEC China Year,” this forum demonstrates the irreplaceable unique value of universities in promoting youth exchanges, advancing academic cooperation, and inspiring innovative thinking. Youth signifies hope, communication fosters cooperation, and cooperation leads to the future. This dialogue of ideas, gathered by the Fairy Lake, is injecting a clear and lasting youthful power into the construction of a more open, inclusive, innovative, and sustainable future for the Asia-Pacific.

This forum is co-organized by The Chinese University of Hong Kong (Shenzhen) and the APEC Research Center of Nankai University, with the Qianhai Institute of International Affairs serving as a co-organizer.

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