China’s choice of Shenzhen as the host city for the APEC Leaders’ Summit, an event to be held in 2026, is no coincidence. The city is known for its innovation and carries a history of transformation: what was once a fishing village has become a major global symbol of technology. This choice was announced by President Xi Jinping, and the event marks a new chapter for China and its importance in the Asia-Pacific economic landscape. The decision to choose this city reinforces China’s ambition to lead a more digital, sustainable, and cooperative future among the countries of the region.
China and innovation as an engine of cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region
For several decades, Shenzhen has been gaining international prominence, especially for its ability to transform ideas into real solutions, and this aligns with the purpose of APEC. Large technology companies are located in the city, along with rapidly growing startups and emerging sectors such as AI, biotechnology, and advanced manufacturing. During the APEC meeting, Xi Jinping reinforced in his speech the importance of shared innovation, particularly in the face of global challenges such as climate change, food security, and energy transitions.
The city of Shenzhen has demonstrated in practice its intention to cooperate with technology. Sectors such as electronics and renewable energy are the city’s main investments, and the idea is to make them a global benchmark. In 2020, strategic industries represented a large part of the country’s GDP, and this shows how technology is part of Shenzhen’s development.
The city of Shenzhen maintains strong connections with ASEAN countries, particularly those undergoing digitalization and industrial transformation. The China-ASEAN Expo and the International High-Tech Fair will reinforce the country’s commitment to openness and multilateral trade.
Understand why Shenzhen is the perfect city for the 2026 APEC Summit
The choice of Shenzhen was not random. The city has become a “living laboratory” for ideas and projects focused on the future, uniting research, innovation, and public policies that stimulate growth in the Asia-Pacific region. Shenzhen is being seen as a model to be followed by emerging economies in the bloc, which also seek to accelerate their development based on technology and smart urbanization.
According to experts, Shenzhen represents an environment that inspires the economies that make up APEC. The city’s evolution, looking at the technological aspect, demonstrates how planning, partnerships, and investments can, in fact, transform a place, even in just a few decades. Shenzhen has culturally consolidated itself through agility and experimentation, and this is highly valued among global companies and governments, especially those facing challenges.
The role of sustainability in choosing the host city
Shenzhen, in recent years, has become a benchmark in sustainable development. The city is known for having the world’s first 100% electrified bus fleet; this move has significantly reduced carbon emissions.
China has even more ambitious goals, such as achieving carbon neutrality by 2060. During the meeting, Xi Jinping made it clear that the country is committed to these goals and also wants to collaborate with other neighboring nations to create a greener and safer production chain.
What can we expect from the future of Shenzhen and APEC 2026?
By choosing Shenzhen as the host city for APEC 2026, China makes it clear that it desires regional cooperation, encouraging cities to combine innovation, sustainability, and strategic vision. The city of Shenzhen serves as an example of how it is possible to grow with a focus on technological and green development.
The APEC meeting scheduled for 2026 promises to address issues affecting the entire Asia-Pacific region, such as digital advancement and energy transition, which are among the most debated topics. According to some experts, the city represents a hub of innovation, which is what the bloc seeks for the coming years as its representative.
