Leaders of China and the US set for same virtual stage at Apec trade forum this week

Host New Zealand is talking up opportunities for leaders to discuss and tackle challenges such as the pandemic and climate change

While Taiwan intends to lobby for admission to CPTPP trade pact, the virtual nature of the forum allows no room for sideline diplomacy, academic says

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US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping are expected to attend the Apec forum virtually this week. Host New Zealand wants to keep the focus on a practical response to the pandemic and climate threats. Photos: AFP

Published: 6:30pm, 10 Nov 2021Updated: 11:41pm, 10 Nov 2021

The trade group known as the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) holds its yearly forum this week, with New Zealand playing host to the virtual event featuring leaders from China, the US and Taiwan, along with more than a dozen others.

There is plenty of tension in the air, primarily between Beijing and Washington over trade, politics and human rights, with Taiwan’s future increasingly emerging as a potential flashpoint.

However, New Zealand is talking up the opportunities for leaders to discuss and tackle challenges such as the Covid-19 pandemic and climate change. China’s President Xi Jinping and US President Joe Biden will both be on the video call on Friday.

New Zealand wants to keep the focus on a practical response to the pandemic and climate threats, said Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta at a briefing on Wednesday. “In both of those areas, all economies have participated with the type of focus that we require to get through this very difficult and challenging time, China included,” she said.

That is a theme also stressed by Vangelis Vitalis, New Zealand’s deputy trade and economic secretary. “There may be tensions, but the focus this year in Apec has been very much on where it is that we can work together,” he said at a briefing on Friday.