China's commerce minister was absent from the opening of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, citing "urgent official business" that required immediate attention, according to summit organizers.

Despite the minister's absence, China has called for continued cooperation among APEC member nations. The statement emphasized the importance of multilateral economic partnerships in the Asia-Pacific region during ongoing global economic uncertainties.

Separately, China's foreign minister is scheduled to chair an upcoming United Nations Security Council meeting in the United States. The meeting represents part of China's rotating presidency duties on the 15-member council.

Following the UN Security Council session, the Chinese foreign minister will travel to Canada for diplomatic meetings. The visit is expected to include discussions on bilateral relations and regional security matters.

The scheduling conflicts highlight the extensive diplomatic calendar Chinese officials are managing across multiple international forums. Both APEC and the UN Security Council represent key venues for China's engagement with global partners on economic and security issues.