APEC Voices of the Future

Beijing, People’s Republic of China
5 - 11 November 2014
A Special Report on the APEC Voices of the Future 2014, Beijing, People’s Republic of China

APEC Leaders’ Week 2014
Leaders from the 21 member nations of the Asia-Pacific
Economic Cooperation (APEC) gathered in the Chinese
capital, Beijing for a high level meeting from 10 to 11 November
2014. The summit is the biggest event to date, hosted by the
Chinese President, H.E. Xi Jinping who took over the Chinesepresidency in March 2013, as Beijing seeks to consolidate
its status as regional leader and economic giant. The APEC
meetings in Beijing are being heralded as the most substantive
and impactful, in years, as it aims greater economic integrationand the easing of regional tensions.
The APEC Voices of the Future, which is the key platformfor ‘Youth Voice’ at the annual APEC Summit was held inconjunction with the APEC CEO Summit 2014 and the APEC
Leaders’ Week 2014 in Beijing, People’s Republic of China.

H.E. Xi Jinping, President of the People’s Republic of China,
addressing at the Opening Ceremony of the APEC 2014 CEO
Summit at the China National Convention Centre in Beijing.

Jointly organized by the China Council for the Promotion ofInternational Trade of the People’s Republic of China and the
National Youth Achievement Award Council of Singapore andsupported by the APEC 2014 Host Committee. 116 APEC
Voices educators and young leaders from 16 APEC member
economies, namely: Australia, Canada, Indonesia, Japan,
Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Philippines,
Russia, Singapore, Chinese Taipei, Thailand, United Statesof America and Host Economy, People’s Republic of China
gathered in Beijing to engage Heads of APEC member
economies, Ministers, and business leaders from the 21 APEC
member nations.
“Building an open economic system in the Asia-Pacific is crucial
and only the reformers and innovators will emerge stronger andwin the new round of global growth.”
APEC Leaders Meeting held at Beijing Yanqi Lake International
Conference Centre.

H.E. Xi Jinping
President of the People’s Republic of China

Leaders from 21 APEC Member Economies gathered in Beijing for the APEC Leaders’ Week 2014 hosted by H.E. Xi Jinping,President of the People’s Republic of China.

APEC Voices of the Future 2014
The annual APEC Voices of the Future Program was heldfrom 5 to 11 November 2014 in Beijing in conjunction with the
APEC Week 2014. The program kicked off with an orientation
session held at the Holiday Inn Express Beijing Minzuyuan
Hotel on 5 November 2014 organized by the APEC Voices
Leadership Council. Educators and youth leaders from the 16
APEC member economies were briefed on the APEC Voices
program and rules of engagement and also, had the chance to
get to know one another.
The APEC Voices 2014 Opening Ceremony was held at
the Inner Mongolia Hotel Grand Ballroom on 6 November
2014 and was graced by Xu Hubin, Secretary-General of the
China Council for the Promotion of International Trade. Mr Xu
welcomed the delegates of the APEC Voices to Beijing andencouraged them to seize this rare opportunity to learn, engage
and build networks with business leaders and youth leadersfrom the different economies. He further stressed that the
younger generation is very important and therefore, was given
the opportunity to learn more about the APEC economies andopportunities available.

The APEC Voices 2014 Youth Forum held at the Inner Mongolia
Hotel Grand Ballroom in Beijing.

Xu Hubin, Secretary-General, China Council for the Promotion ofInternational Trade, addressing the delegates at the Opening of
the APEC Voices of the Future 2014 in Beijing.

APEC Voices of the Future 2014 Youth Forum
Following the Opening Ceremony, the delegates were treatedwith a cultural performance by the people from Inner Mongolia.
At the APEC Youth Forum, Noel Gould, Chairman, Virtual
Trade Mission Foundation of the United States of America
and Co-Chair, APEC Voices Leadership Council delivered
the welcome address and encouraged delegates to take theopportunity to learn and interact with youth delegates fromdifferent economies.
Each economy was provided a platform to address the issues
related to APEC from the young leader’s perspective, “Whatare the challenges faced by youth in the Asia-Pacific regionand How can they contribute to make it a vibrant region?” Theforum was facilitated by Dr Annie Liu from the United Statesof America who was the Forum Chair. Dr Liu was assisted by
Dr Louis Eric Pelton, Global Marketing Author, Educator and
Scholar from the University of North Texas, summarized theviews and comments of the APEC Voices delegates at theend of the Youth Forum. One of the main issues raised was
the mismatch between education and the job market. Somedelegates shared their personal experiences of difficulties infinding a job that matches their educational training.

The Youth Forum drew many questions from the APEC Voicesdelegates on issues pertaining to the Asia Pacific Region.
The APEC Voices Youth Forum 2014 chaired by Dr Annie Liufrom the United States of America.

“It was a rare opportunity for me to witness how APEC Leaders andCEOs interact and exchange views in contributing to their growthand how to facilitate trade between member economies. I learnedon how I can contribute to this from a young person’s perspective
in my generation and from a professional’s point of view. As I am
currently based in China, I will focus on building relationships withmy Chinese counterparts which could lead to moving forward as
the youth of APEC.”
Youth delegates took away plenty of valuable information fromtheir discussion with fellow delegates from other Economies.

Emily Constance Georgina Tonks Swan
Virtual Trade Mission - NZ Trust, New ZealandVisit to the Palace Museum, Forbidden City
After a morning of lively debates and discussions on issues
related to trade and opportunities in the Asia-Pacific Region,delegates left for a special visit to the Palace Museum at the
Forbidden City where delegates were warmly welcomed by the
Director of the Palace Museum, Prof Shan Jixiang. Prof Shan
took the delegates through a comprehensive presentationon the exhibits in the Palace Museum and their historicalsignificance before the delegates toured the Forbidden City
with official guides. The Forbidden City is the Chinese imperial
palace from the Ming Dynasty to the end of the Qing dynasty.
It was a once in a lifetime experience for the delegates, whowalked through the palace ground as the Emperor and senior
officials of the Imperial Court once strolled.

Prof Shan Jixiang, Director, Palace Museum, addressing the APEC
Voices 2014 delegates at the Palace Museum, Forbidden City.

Visit to Beijing Haidian Experimental
Middle School

APEC Voices delegates at the majestic courtyard of the
Forbidden City.

APEC Voices delegates arrived to a very warm welcome by
the principal, staff members, teachers and students of Beijing
Haidian Experimental Middle School on 7 November 2014.
The visit of the school began with a welcome ceremony heldat the school hall where students put up cultural performances
for the delegates. After the cultural performances, delegates
went to visit the Dr Qian Xuesen Space Exhibition Museum.
The delegates were divided into small groups to experience
the traditional arts of China, with the guidance from mastercraftsmen who demonstrated the various art of China such as
Chinese calligraphy and painting, egg carving, mask painting,paper cuts, kite making and painting Chinese dolls made offlour. Delegates did very well under the direction of the mastercraftsmen. For many, it was a first-time experience. The
delegates also watched a performance of Chinese traditional
games and some even enthusiastically participated in it. The
school event ended with a traditional Chinese lunch, where
delegates not only had a taste of it, but they were also involvedin the preparation of the food, such as dumpling and noodlemaking and more.

APEC Voices delegates having a lifetime experience painting
Chinese dolls made of flour.

Being involved in the preparation of traditional food such as
dumplings make the visit more interesting and enriching for thedelegates.
Youth having a go with the Chinese traditional games at Beijing
Haidian Experimental Middle School.

APEC Voices 2014 delegates with officials at Beijing Haidian Experimental Middle School.

Visit to the Great Wall of China
After the school visit, delegates headed over to the famous
Great Wall of China for the breathtaking view and a lifetime
experience. Many delegates made it to the top of the watch
tower of the Great Wall. After an afternoon of fun and adventure
at the Great Wall, delegates were hosted by the Bianyifang
Group, a 600-year-old restaurant serving the famous Peking
duck. Delegates were given a rare demonstration on the
preparation of the Peking duck before it was served. It was awonderful experience, tasting traditional Chinese cuisine.

An awesome feeling at the main gate of the famous Great Wallof China.

A rare demonstration on the preparation of the famous Peking
duck at a 600-year-old restaurant in Beijing.

Ji Peng, Chairman, 751D*PARK, presenting a collection ofcommemorative stamps of 751D*PARK to James Soh, Co-Chair,
APEC Voices Leadership Council.

APEC Voices delegates enjoying the traditional Chinese cuisine
hosted by the Bianyifang Group of Restaurants.

Visit to 751D*PARKThe event on 8 November 2014 was an unforgettable
experience where delegates visited the 751D*PARK in
Chaoyang District, one of the creative clusters in Beijing. The
751D*PARK is surrounded with dozens of business districts
and art institutions such as CBD, Wangjing, Yansha, and as
well as Central Academy of Fine Arts.
Upon arrival, APEC Voices delegates were warmly received
by Ji Peng, Chairman, 751D*PARK and officials including twooutstanding young people, Guo Pei, a well-known designer
who was a team member responsible for the official APEC
Leaders outfits during the APEC Leaders photo session and
Xiao Ke, the talented composer of the Beijing Olympic Games
2008 Theme Song, “Beijing Welcomes You”.

A warm welcome for the APEC Voices delegates at the
751D*PARK.

Ji Peng, Chairman, 751D*PARK shared with delegates theunique spaces of 751D*PARK and how it provided a platform
for nurturing and grooming young people in fashion, art, culture
and design. It also provides exhibition spaces to showcase theproducts designed by talented young people.
Delegates visited various sites at 751D*PARK and was
impressed by what it has to offered. Xiao Ke invited thedelegates for a song recording session at his studio, where
delegates were taught to sing in harmony for the chorus of the
Olympics Games theme song. After several round of practice,delegates eventually made it and a CD was produced withthe delegates’ contributions. The visit ended with a lunch at
751D*PARK.

Xiao Ke, composer and producer of the Beijing Olympic Games
2008 Theme Song, “Beijing Welcomes You”, coaching thedelegates for the production of a CD to commemorate their visit
to 751D*PARK.

APEC Business Leaders’ Night - Welcome
Reception
The APEC Voices delegates were invited to the APEC
Business Leaders’ Night - Welcome Reception hosted by the
People’s Government of Beijing Municipality. The welcome
reception was hosted by The Honourable Wang Anshun, Mayorof Beijing. Delegates enjoyed the evening of entertainment by
Chinese performing artistes who showcased the best talentsof Beijing, and networking with business leaders.

The Honourable Wang Anshun, Mayor of Beijing, addressing thedelegates at the APEC Business Leaders’ Welcome Reception.

The best of Beijing, the delegates enjoyed an evening ofentertainment by Chinese performing artistes.

APEC Voices delegates from the Philippines with the ABAC
Members from the Philippines at the APEC 2014 CEO Summit.

“Host government plays an important role in providing
opportunities and platform for the development of our next
generation of leaders in all sectors, be it in finance, business orcivil service.
The exposure gained by our young leaders from such high level
event will help them widen their international understanding andnetworks for the future. But most importantly, it will lay a strong
foundation for their development.”
James Soh PBM MBE
Co-Chair, APEC Voices Leadership Council

Ambassador Alan Bollard, Executive Director, APEC Secretariat
with James Soh, Co-Chair, APEC Voices Leadership Council andmembers of the APEC Voices 2014 Working Committee.

Yoshihiro Shigehisa, Chairman, Emeritus of JGC Group, Japan,
with Mr Soh and youth delegates from Japan.

APEC Voices delegates from Canada, with Moon Bun Shin, CEOof LG China.

APEC Voices delegates from New Zealand with Pierre Van
Heerden, Chief Executive, Sanitarium Health Food Company.

APEC China 2014 CEO Summit
The highlight of the APEC Voices Program was the APEC CEO
Summit 2014, which was held on 9 and 10 November 2014 at
the China National Convention Centre located in the Olympic
Green Boulevard in Beijing. The Opening Ceremony was
graced by H. E. Xi Jinping, President of the People’s Republicof China on 9 November 2014. In President Xi’s address, hecalled for the initiating of Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific(FTAAP), along with open economic integration in the region.
He also stressed that building an open economic system in the
Asia-Pacific is crucial and only the reformers and innovators
will emerge stronger and win the new round of global growth.

H.E. Benigno S. Aquino III, President of the Philippines, sharing
his view with business leaders at the APEC CEO Summit 2014.

Today, Asia-Pacific accounts for 40% of the world population,
57% of the global economy and 48% of world trade. It is thefastest growing region in the world with a bright future and the
major engine for world recovery.
Over the next two days, APEC Voices delegates interactedwith Heads of APEC Economies, Ministers, policy makers
and business leaders both at the APEC CEO Summit and at
the reception. Many APEC Voices delegates also met theirrespective Heads of Economies, specially arranged by theirrespective government. The two-day APEC CEO Summit was
indeed very beneficial to the young leaders of the Asia-Pacificregion. Besides hearing from the APEC Leaders and CEOs,
the youth delegates had the opportunity to learn and observe
the working of APEC upclose.
H.E. Barack Obama, President of the United States of America,
addressing the APEC CEO Summit 2014.

H.E. Joko Widodo, President of Indonesia, addressing the APECCEO Summit 2014.

APEC Voices delegate posing a question to the panelists at the
APEC CEO Summit 2014.

The APEC Voices 2014 delegation with Yu Ping, Vice Chairman, China Council for the Promotion of International Trade and James
Soh, Co-Chair, APEC Voices Leadership Council, at the closing of the APEC CEO Summit 2014.

APEC Voices delegates from Singapore with H.E. Lee Hsien
Loong, Prime Minister of the Republic of Singapore and Mr Soh.

APEC Voices delegates from Australia with H.E. Tony Abbott,Prime Minister of Australia.

APEC Voices delegates from Japan with H.E. Yoshihiro Seki,
Vice-Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan.

Jorge Antonio Chavez Mazuelos, APEC Voices delegate from
Peru with H.E. Ollanta Humala, President of Peru.

Closing Ceremony cum Cultural Night
The APEC Voices 2014 Closing Ceremony cum Cultural
Night was held at the Holiday Inn Express Beijing Minzuyuan
Hotel on 10 November where delegates came in their national
costumes, exchanged gifts and souvenirs, while others gavesong and dance performances reflective of their rich culture.
James Soh, Co-Chair, APEC Voices Leadership Council,delivered the closing address and presented mementos tosponsors and the certificate of participation to each of thedelegates.
The evening also included the presentation of the June Mayne
Gould Award to the most outstanding young leader of the
APEC Voices 2014. Jason Zhao Jiasheng of the People’s
Republic of China received the Award from Mr Soh.

Jason Zhao Jiasheng, recipient of the 2014 June Mayne Gould
Award from the People’s Republic of China with the APEC Voices2014 Working Committee and APEC Voices Leadership Council.

David Purdue, APEC Voices delegate from New
Zealand with H.E. John Key, Prime Minister of New
Zealand.

Jiang Linshan and Yin Xiao, APEC Voices delegates from People’s
Republic of China, receiving the Certificate of Participation fromMr Soh at the Closing Ceremony of the APEC Voices 2014.

Before the evening ended, a handover ceremony was held
where the APEC Voices Representative of the People’s
Republic of China handed over the APEC Voices Plaque to the
APEC Voices Representative of the Philippines, who will be thehost of the APEC Summit 2015 in Manila, Philippines. With the
backdrop of an upbeat and vibrant music and celebration, theAPEC Voices delegates celebrated for another very successful
APEC Voices 2014 Program, for a deeper understanding andappreciation of each other’s cultures, and more importantly, forthe friendships and bonds forged among the young leaders of
the Asia-Pacific region.

SynopsisWith the resounding success of the APEC Voices of the
Future 2014 in Beijing, People’s Republic of China, the true
spirit of APEC next generation of leaders comes alive withnew friendships and bonds forged as well as fond memoriesof the hospitable warmth of the Chinese hosts. Beijing, we willremember you for a long, long time.

APEC Voices delegates from Chinese Taipei putting up theircultural performance at the Closing Ceremony.

Handover Ceremony: Tie Zheng from the People’s Republic ofChina, handed over the APEC Voices Plaque to Nicole Maniquis
Bacolod of the Philippines. Witnessing the handover are Mr Fan
Peikang, President and Chief Editor, China Trade News and Mr
Soh.

APEC Voices delegates from Indonesia, contributing a song item
which was well-received by the delegates.

Appreciation and Gratitude

APEC Voices delegates celebrating the success of the programin Beijing at the Closing Ceremony.

The APEC Voices Leadership Council and the APEC Voices
Secretariat in Singapore would like to thank the governmentof the People’s Republic of China, Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
the People’s Government of Beijing Municipality, APEC Host
Committee 2014, APEC 2014 CEO Summit, China Council
for the Promotion of International Trade, Palace Museum,
Forbidden City, Beijing Haidian Experimental Middle School,
751D*PARK, Bianyifang Group, DHL, APEC Youth Forum
Chair and Facilitator, National Youth Achievement Award
Council of Singapore and the China Trade News Media Teamfor their tremendous support and contributions in making the
APEC Voices of the Future 2014 in Beijing, People’s Republicof China a great success.

Jointly Organized By:

Supported By:

This special report is compiled and published by
APEC Voices of the Future Secretariat
c/o National Youth Achievement Award Council, Singapore
151 Lorong Chuan, #06-01B (Lobby A) New Tech Park, Singapore 556741
Tel: (65) 6733 6753 Fax: (65) 6733 6754 Email: nyaac@singnet.com.sg Website: www.apecvoices.org