GUANGZHOU – The inaugural Senior Officials’ Meeting for APEC China 2026 commenced in Guangzhou on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, marking a significant milestone in China’s preparations to host the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum. The high-level gathering brought together senior delegates from APEC’s 21 member economies to establish foundational frameworks for regional cooperation initiatives.
The meeting represents China’s third hosting of the prestigious APEC forum, following previous editions in 2001 and 2014. Guangzhou, a pivotal economic hub in southern China, provides the strategic backdrop for these preliminary discussions that will shape the agenda for the upcoming APEC year.
Delegates engaged in comprehensive dialogues addressing critical regional priorities including sustainable trade policies, digital economic transformation, and climate-resilient infrastructure development. The discussions established working groups to advance cooperation mechanisms across multiple sectors, with particular emphasis on post-pandemic economic recovery strategies and inclusive growth frameworks.
The proceedings underscored China’s commitment to multilateral economic cooperation and its evolving role in shaping Asia-Pacific economic integration. The outcomes from this preliminary meeting will inform the development of formal agendas for subsequent ministerial conferences and the culminating Economic Leaders’ Meeting scheduled for November 2026.
This gathering occurs amid evolving global economic dynamics and increasing regional interdependence, positioning APEC 2026 as a crucial platform for addressing contemporary challenges through collective action and policy coordination among Pacific Rim economies.