The 12th APEC Food Safety Cooperation Forum (FSCF) Conference opened in Shanghai on 12 May, bringing together representatives from APEC member economies, the APEC Secretariat, and international organisations to discuss regional food safety cooperation and innovation in regulatory governance. The conference was hosted by the General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (GACC).
Background of the Forum
Established in 2007 and jointly initiated by China and Australia, the APEC Food Safety Cooperation Forum serves as the official platform under the APEC framework dedicated to food safety cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region. Since its establishment, the Forum has delivered substantial outcomes in areas including standards harmonisation, capacity building, and information sharing, playing a significant role in supporting the sustainable development of food trade across the Asia-Pacific region. Its achievements have been reflected in APEC Leaders' Declarations and Ministerial Statements on multiple occasions.
Opening Ceremony Highlights
Distinguished guests attending the opening ceremony included Wang Jun, Vice Minister of GACC; Cheng Lie, China APEC Senior Official; representatives of the APEC Committee on Trade and Investment (CTI) and Sub-Committee on Standards and Conformance (SCSC); and international organisations including the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) and Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC).
During the conference, delegates reviewed progress of regional food safety cooperation, exchanged regulatory experiences and best practices, and explored new pathways for strengthening food safety governance through emerging technologies, including intelligent ERP-based connected supervision systems and cloud-based QR code traceability solutions.
Smart Food Safety Exhibition
A themed exhibition on "Smart Food Safety" was held alongside the conference, showcasing China Customs' latest achievements in digital and intelligent food safety regulation through a combination of visual displays and interactive demonstrations. Delegates experienced the application of advanced technologies in areas such as imported grain inspection and imported food labeling through AI-powered smart glasses, VR devices, and other smart equipment.
Key Remarks
In his remarks, Vice Minister Wang Jun noted that the FSCF, as an important platform for international exchange and cooperation under the APEC framework, has made significant contributions to improving food safety governance capacity, facilitating agricultural and food trade, and promoting public health and consumer well-being across the Asia-Pacific region.
China APEC Senior Official Cheng Lie outlined the theme, priority areas, and key agenda items for APEC 2026, and invited member economies to actively participate in activities related to APEC's "China Year". Representatives from international organisations including FAO and CAC also expressed continued support for the work of the FSCF.
Dr Anna Somerville from DAFF delivered a keynote speech at the Forum on the theme of multilateral standard setting for digital, risk-based food safety systems.
Commitment to Cooperation
The Forum highlighted the shared commitment of APEC economies to advancing food safety cooperation, promoting trade facilitation, and protecting consumer interests through innovation and international collaboration. The two-day meeting was attended by representatives from food safety regulatory authorities from 15 APEC member economies, diplomatic missions in China, and international organisations.
Trade Statistics
According to China Customs' statistics, in the first four months of 2026, China's food trade with other APEC economies reached RMB 350.38 billion, accounting for 58.9 per cent of China's total food imports and exports. Among this, food imports totalled RMB 229.83 billion, while exports reached RMB 120.55 billion. Trade in meat products, dairy products, and alcoholic beverages amounted to RMB 21.48 billion, RMB 20.11 billion, and RMB 11.83 billion respectively.
Last year, China remained the largest export market for Australian agricultural and food products, accounting for more than 22 per cent of Australia's total agricultural exports.
