As Xi prepares to join other Asia-Pacific leaders for discussions under the theme of "Empower. Include. Grow," observers have set their expectations for the upcoming meeting in Lima.

"The role of APEC in facilitating dialogue among political and economic leaders is more crucial than ever at this time of growing protectionism and economic decoupling," said Hans Hendrischke, professor of Chinese business and management at the University of Sydney Business School.

China has always been active in pushing emerging market economies and developing countries in the Asia-Pacific region to realize more efficient development, said Dora Isabel Gonzalez, a researcher at the Faculty of Higher Studies of the National Autonomous University of Mexico in Acatlan.

"I believe President Xi's trip to Peru will strongly promote economic, trade and investment cooperation and sustainable development in the Asia-Pacific region and even globally," said Gonzalez.