Chinese leader Xi Jinping told Asia-Pacific leaders on Friday that his country would help to defend global free trade at an annual economic regional forum snubbed by U.S. President Donald Trump.

Chinese President Xi Jinping announced that Shenzhen will host the 2026 APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting, marking China’s third time as APEC chair. Expressing gratitude for the transfer of presidency, Xi hailed Shenzhen as a “miracle in world development” and a “window of China’s opening-up.

In his keynote address, Xi said that Asia must remain united through cooperation rather than division. Taking a subtle swipe at the Western strategy of moving factories out of China.

Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in South Korea on Thursday to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit and hold talks with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and U.S. President Donald Trump on high-profile issues ranging from tariffs to security.

China's President Xi Jinping met with Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney on Friday, with the leaders vowing to advance bilateral relations and Carney accepting Xi’s invitation to visit China. They held a summit on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum in Gyeongju,