China and ASEAN agreed to broaden commerce as part of a new agreement. The arrangement is designed to increase commerce between China and the 10-member bloc. Amid rising concern, analysts warned over growing Chinese investment, pointing to risks in deeper ties. In Australia, CPA Australia joined a Shenzhen economic exchange ahead of APEC. Singapore-based legal firm Wotton Kearney set up a maritime claims unit. Vietnam announced a cooperation agreement for its industrial fair.

Prior arguments contended that mainstream international trade theory ignores development concerns. That view points to gaps in how trade benefits are measured across economies.