Charmaine Paula, a Filipino content creator, was drawn to Beijing by its diverse culture. Nine years later, she calls it home.  

Wandering through its streets and immersing herself in local daily life, she feels APEC cooperation extends far beyond trade, opening up space for people to connect.  

As China hosts the 33rd APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in November 2026, and has already kicked off the APEC "China Year" in Shenzhen under the theme "Building an Asia-Pacific Community to Prosper Together," Paula says APEC isn’t just about summits and agreements. It’s about the everyday connections that bring communities closer.  

Through social media, she shares real-life moments, travel tips and cultural insights, answering questions about life in China.  

She also chronicles customs and traditions from both the Philippines and China, hoping to build bridges between young people across the Asia‑Pacific.