A series of events for the APEC Digital Week kicks off in Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan province and a city known for innovation and creativity in western China, on Thursday.

Running from July 16 to 29, the APEC Digital Week "is one of the most significant and well-rounded events in the series of APEC specialized ministerial meetings", Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said on Wednesday.

Among the events are the APEC Digital and Artificial Intelligence Ministerial Meeting, a high-level forum on AI and a high-level roundtable on data to spur growth.

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There will also be meetings of the APEC Telecommunications and Information Working Group and the Digital Economy Steering Group, along with site visits focusing on data-driven healthcare, animation, cultural creativity, smart cities and AI applications.

They are among more than 10 specialized ministerial meetings and high-level events that China has planned to host throughout the year as chair of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation events in 2026.

Lin said digital technologies such as AI have become key drivers of new quality productive forces and innovative growth.

"Making good use of AI while managing its risks" and "transforming the vitality of innovation into a driving force for growth" have become common challenges facing stakeholders across the region, he said.

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"We believe that APEC Digital Week will serve as an important platform for all parties to engage in in-depth discussions, further advance the inclusive and equitable development of AI, promote digital and AI-enabled cooperation and enhance the development and utilization of data," Lin said.

"It will also provide an opportunity for all parties to experience China's achievements in scientific and technological innovation and the development of new quality productive forces," he added.

With the APEC "China Year" now halfway through, Lin said cooperation across a wide range of fields has advanced steadily, "yielding a series of early harvests".

"I am confident that as upcoming events unfold, everyone will find the second half of the APEC 'China Year'to be impressive as well," he said.

Contact the writers at zhangyunbi@chinadaily.com.cn