【革新開放】(4)(English Version) About APEC and ASEAN

About APEC

Established in 1989, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation （APEC） is an informal forum for member economies to discuss economic and trade matters. Its 21 members include China, the U.S., Russia, Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Australia, and Vietnam. Hong Kong officially joined in 1991 under the name "Hong Kong, China." APEC facilitates trade, business, investment, cultural exchange, and regional economic integration.

APEC 2017 was hosted in Vietnam; attendees included world leaders such as Chinese President Xi Jinping （front row, fifth from left）, Russian President Vladimir Putin （back row, fifth from left）, and U.S. President Donald Trump （back row, sixth from left）.

The 2027 APEC will be held in Phu Quoc, Vietnam, providing an opportunity for the host nation to promote its tourism image. Once an isolated prison for war captives, Phu Quoc has transformed into a famous resort destination. It was named one of the "World's Greatest Places" by TIME magazine in 2021 and is the only visa-free city in Vietnam. Currently, its infrastructure—from airports and ports to hotels and convention centers—is being actively expanded to promote its unique cultural and resort experiences through APEC.

About ASEAN

Established in 1967, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations （ASEAN） currently consists of 11 countries: Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Brunei, Thailand, Myanmar, the Philippines, Cambodia, Singapore, Malaysia, and Timor-Leste. It is an intergovernmental organization that promotes political, economic, and social cooperation through dialogue while maintaining partnerships with major dialogue partners like the U.S., China, Australia, the EU, and Russia. ASEAN is also Hong Kong's second-largest trading partner.

ASEAN was established on August 8, 1967, following the signing of the Bangkok Declaration by its five founding members: Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand.

Surge in Foreign Direct Investment （FDI）

According to the General Statistics Office of the Ministry of Finance in Q4 2025, as of December 31, 2025, newly registered FDI capital exceeded USD$38.44 billion, with realized capital estimated at US$27.6 billion—the highest level in five years. Despite geopolitical and global economic instability, investor confidence in Vietnam remains solid. In 2025, FDI was primarily distributed in the manufacturing and processing industry （USD$9.8 billion, 56.5% of total） and real estate （USD$3.7 billion, 21.2%）.