China has formally announced its ambitious roadmap for the 2026 APEC chairmanship, designating Shenzhen as the host city for the premier 33rd APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting scheduled for November 18-19. The revelation came during Friday’s Foreign Ministry briefing where spokesman Guo Jiakun outlined China’s extensive plans for its leadership year.
The coastal metropolis of Shenzhen, renowned as China’s technological innovation hub, will welcome leaders from across the Asia-Pacific region for the flagship event. China’s APEC agenda encompasses approximately 300 events spanning multiple cities throughout 2026, representing one of the most comprehensive hosting schedules in the forum’s history.
Beyond the Leaders’ Meeting, China will convene the APEC CEO Summit and joint ministerial meetings involving foreign and trade ministers. Three Senior Officials’ Meetings are scheduled for February in Guangzhou, May in Shanghai, and August in Dalian, creating a continuous engagement framework throughout the year.
Starting May 2026, China will host approximately 10 ministerial-level gatherings addressing critical areas including digital economy transformation, sustainable trade practices, transportation infrastructure, tourism development, human resources optimization, SME support mechanisms, energy security, food sustainability, financial cooperation, and women’s economic participation.
China has introduced “Building an Asia-Pacific Community to Prosper Together” as the official theme for its APEC chairmanship, a concept that received unanimous endorsement during the recent Informal Senior Officials’ Meeting. The thematic framework prioritizes three core pillars: enhanced regional openness, technological innovation, and deepened cooperative mechanisms—elements that align with member economies’ strategic priorities and development objectives.
This comprehensive approach demonstrates China’s commitment to revitalizing APEC’s role in addressing contemporary economic challenges while fostering inclusive growth across the Asia-Pacific region.