Chinese President Xi Jinping announced on Saturday that China will host the 33rd Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Meeting in 2026 in Shenzhen.

The announcement came during the 32nd APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting held in Gyeongju, Republic of Korea, where leaders from the 21-member bloc gathered to discuss post-pandemic economic recovery, digital transformation, supply chain resilience, and sustainable development.

President Xi said that hosting the 2026 summit in Shenzhen will demonstrate China’s commitment to open cooperation, innovation-driven growth, and shared prosperity across the Asia-Pacific.

“Shenzhen, a symbol of China’s reform and opening-up, represents our vision for the future — one built on innovation, inclusivity, and mutual benefit,” Xi stated, adding that China stands ready to deepen regional cooperation within the APEC framework.

Located in Guangdong Province, Shenzhen is one of China’s most dynamic cities — home to major global technology firms such as Huawei, Tencent, and BYD. The choice of Shenzhen underscores Beijing’s intent to highlight its high-tech development and digital economy as key drivers of regional growth.

This year’s APEC meeting in Gyeongju focused heavily on strengthening regional supply chains, advancing digital trade, and accelerating green transitions amid ongoing global economic uncertainty. Leaders also discussed food security, financial stability, and efforts to narrow the development gap among member economies.

In his address, Xi called for the Asia-Pacific community to remain committed to multilateralism and the principles of the Bogor Goals, which aim to promote free and open trade and investment across the region. He also reiterated China’s opposition to protectionism and “economic fragmentation,” urging APEC economies to build a resilient, interconnected, and inclusive Asia-Pacific economy.

The 2026 APEC Summit in Shenzhen will mark the third time China has hosted the annual leaders’ meeting — following Shanghai in 2001 and Beijing in 2014. Both previous summits were milestones in China’s global economic engagement, producing key commitments on trade liberalization and connectivity.

Analysts suggest that the Shenzhen summit could focus on digital trade frameworks, artificial intelligence governance, and green technology cooperation, aligning with China’s growing emphasis on innovation-led and sustainable development.

APEC, founded in 1989, brings together 21 Pacific Rim economies, including the United States, Japan, Australia, Russia, and members of the ASEAN bloc, accounting for nearly 60% of global GDP and half of world trade.

As the Asia-Pacific region continues to serve as a key engine of global growth, the 2026 Shenzhen summit is expected to be a landmark gathering shaping the next phase of economic cooperation and regional integration under China’s stewardship. (ILKHA)