Digital collaboration critical for APEC trade
Editor's note: The recent APEC Customs Business Dialogue, held during the Third Senior Officials' Meeting of APEC China 2026, focused on the role of digital technology in facilitating cross-border trade and making Asia-Pacific supply chains more stable and efficient. People's Daily Overseas Edition spoke to Zhu Caihua, dean of the Institute of Global Open Source Collaboration at the University of International Business and Economics, and Li Yong, an associate researcher at the Research Center of General Administration of Customs, on the importance of smart customs. Below are excerpts of the interviews. The views don't necessarily represent those of China Daily.
To achieve new progress in digital collaboration, connectivity and mutual recognition, the Asia-Pacific region must take coordinated steps in four key areas.
First, strengthen top-level design and translate technological consensus into concrete action.
Second, promote the alignment of standards across Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation member economies. Customs data formats, declaration requirements and electronic documents should be standardized and mutual recognition should be enabled for the sharing of data.
Third, advance the smart customs partnership initiative to help developing economies bridge the digital divide and strengthen their capacity to develop digital customs systems.
Fourth, enhance technological cooperation in AI, big data and large language models and deepen cooperation in risk early warning, regulatory oversight and law enforcement.
At the enterprise level, AI-driven innovation is enhancing efficiency, compliance and business models. Technological innovations have reduced the constraints of time and distance. Compliance has improved because AI systems enable dynamic tax calculations and compliance checks, allowing companies to navigate complex trade regulations more effectively.
Logistics companies are developing robotic warehouses overseas and exporting standardized technology solutions. This will help optimize the global logistics infrastructure.
The key lies in the coordinated development of technological and institutional frameworks. Efforts should focus on strengthening the digital infrastructure and fostering an environment conducive to AI innovation. This includes improving access to AI technologies, narrowing the digital divide and applying AI in packaging, transportation, warehousing and customs clearance.
Greater openness and cooperation are needed in rules, regulations, management practices and standards, with emphasis on mutual recognition of electronic trade documents and cross-border digital identities.
APEC should leverage its members' experience to establish a common framework for action. This would help the Asia-Pacific move from multidimensional connectivity toward digital and intelligent connectivity, strengthening the Asia-Pacific community through AI and digital technologies.
It is essential to build consensus on AI and the digital economy and establish a common regional framework of rules that opposes discriminatory AI regulations and supports greater alignment of rules on cross-border data flows. Practical steps are needed to make AI more accessible and inclusive. Efforts should be accelerated to extend new digital infrastructure, including 5G networks, computing hubs and 10-gigabit optical networks to less-developed economies, lowering the barriers to accessing AI services.
Initiatives such as APEC programs to improve AI literacy and training programs for small and medium-sized enterprises should be promoted. Sharing of open-source AI models and lightweight AI applications should be encouraged to lower the barriers to AI development in developing economies.
APEC economies should enhance mutual recognition of electronic trade documents and connect AI-powered customs systems through single-window platforms. Collaboration among enterprises of all sizes should promote innovation in intelligent manufacturing, cross-border logistics and smart agricultural monitoring.
