1. APEC leaders are meeting in Gyeongju, South Korea on October 31-November 1.
- The meeting comes amid ongoing protectionist trade policies by the US administration under President Donald Trump.

2. The agenda for the two-day conference includes discussions on trade and investment, as well as artificial intelligence, aging societies, and declining birthrates.
- Key participants include Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae, Chinese President Xi Jinping, and South Korean President Lee Jae-myung.
- US President Trump did not attend the meeting; he held separate talks with Xi in Busan before returning home.

3. Attention is on whether APEC leaders can reach a consensus on free trade amid Washington's tariff campaigns and protectionist measures.
- There is also interest in how Chinese President Xi will seek to expand China's influence at the forum, particularly in Trump's absence. Analysts suggest that Xi may aim to form closer ties with other participating countries by advocating for the maintenance of free trade.