Suddenly, there is a lot of talk about APEC, especially here in Shenzhen. The streets are filled with flags and signs saying “APEC 2026” and “Welcome to Shenzhen.” Everywhere we look, there is something about it.
It’s clearly a big deal.
We’re hearing about temporary arrangements at certain schools and kindergartens. Drivers are being encouraged to leave their cars at home during the meeting period, with incentives for those who register and follow through. The city has also encouraged businesses to consider flexible working arrangements during November 16–20. So this is already affecting ordinary daily life, even before the leaders arrive.
From what I’m seeing, security has increased too, and there seem to be more traffic police on the streets.
For us at Personal Connect, it’s particularly close to home. Our office is directly opposite the new InterContinental hotel and conference development at Honey Lake, where we understand major APEC activities will take place. Literally across the road, with a bird’s-eye view.
We’ve been told we might have to vacate the office for a few days. At the very least, we may have restrictions on receiving guests and need to register all staff. We’re still waiting for the final arrangements, but being right opposite certainly gives us a different perspective on the preparations.
What has really impressed me is watching the Honey Lake area change. From our office, we’ve watched an old, unused theme park and a dried-up lake turn into an entirely different place in less than a year. Seeing that happen outside your window is quite something. And all of that at Shenzhen speed.
But I must admit, until recently, I had never paid much attention to what APEC actually was.
I remember an Australian friend years ago who had an APEC card. I understood that it made traveling to China easier, but I never really looked into it. It wasn’t something I thought about much, since I’m not from a country that’s part of APEC, so I never really thought about it.
Now it’s all around me, and I’m sure I’m not the only person asking: what exactly is APEC, and why is everyone making such a fuss?
What is APEC?
APEC stands for Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation.
It started in 1989 and brings together 21 economies around the Pacific region. Its purpose is to help them cooperate on trade, investment, and economic growth.
In everyday language, it’s a place where governments sit down and discuss how to make doing business with one another easier.
If you buy products from another country, sell overseas, invest abroad, or travel to meet suppliers, you will know that crossing a border can bring a whole new set of procedures. Customs, paperwork, different standards, and entry requirements all take time.
These are the kinds of practical issues APEC works on. The discussions may happen at government level, but the results can matter to businesses much further down the line.
Who is involved?
The 21 members are:
Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, China, Hong Kong, China, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, the Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Chinese Taipei, Thailand, the United States, and Vietnam.
APEC calls them “member economies” rather than countries. That terminology allows Hong Kong, China and Chinese Taipei to participate separately within the forum.
Looking at the membership, you can see the focus is on economies across Asia and around the Pacific, including the Americas.
Do they actually make decisions?
Yes, but APEC works through voluntary cooperation and consensus. Its commitments are generally nonbinding, and each member keeps its own laws and regulations.
So, attending an APEC meeting doesn’t mean everyone comes home with identical tax systems, immigration policies, or business rules.
The value is in getting these economies to talk, agree on priorities, and work toward practical improvements. With members this different from one another, even that takes some doing.
How often do they meet?
The main Economic Leaders’ Meeting normally takes place once a year, with a different member economy hosting each year. But APEC’s work continues between those annual gatherings. Ministers, senior officials, and specialist groups meet throughout the year to work through the details.
That was something I hadn’t really understood before. When we hear “APEC,” we tend to think of leaders arriving, shaking hands, and taking the group photograph. But those few days are the most visible part of a much longer process.
This year, for example, the first major round of meetings took place in Guangzhou in February. That gathering alone involved around 60 meetings, workshops, and other sessions covering subjects such as customs procedures, investment, digital trade, and food security.
So, by the time the leaders arrive in Shenzhen, officials will already have spent months discussing what they hope to achieve.
Where was the last meeting?
The previous annual leaders’ meeting took place in Gyeongju, South Korea, from October 31 to November 1, 2025.
Among its outcomes were an agreement to advance cooperation on artificial intelligence and a framework for responding to demographic changes, including aging populations and changes in the workforce.
These are issues that affect businesses directly. How do companies find the people they need as populations age? How do employees adapt as technology changes their jobs? How can smaller businesses benefit from AI?
Working in recruitment and business support, I can certainly see why those questions matter.
What is this year’s meeting actually about?
China’s theme for APEC 2026 is “Building an Asia-Pacific Community to Prosper Together,” with three main priorities: openness, innovation, and cooperation.
That sounds quite formal, so what does it mean in practical terms?
Making international trade easier
One area of work is reducing the friction involved in moving goods and doing business across borders. This includes paperless trade, digital systems, and better connections between economies.
For anyone who has dealt with international shipments and repeated paperwork, you can understand why even a modest improvement would be welcome.
Working out how to use AI
Artificial intelligence is expected to feature prominently in Shenzhen. Discussions have included how economies approach AI standards, privacy, trust, and its use in areas such as trade, services, and energy.
There is also the question of preparing people to use it. Technology can move quickly, but businesses and employees still need the skills to benefit from it.
Keeping supply chains and essential systems reliable
APEC has also been working on supply chains, energy security, and food systems. These subjects can sound distant until a disruption affects your shipment, your operating costs, or the availability of something your business needs.
Helping smaller businesses participate
The wider agenda includes making it easier for small businesses and startups to grow and take part in international trade. That means looking at the barriers they face, their access to technology, and their connections with larger businesses and overseas markets.
That part interests me. Large multinational companies generally have teams to deal with expansion into another market. A smaller company often has an owner trying to figure it all out while still running the business.
We see that regularly at Personal Connect.
What will happen in Shenzhen?
The Economic Leaders’ Meeting is scheduled for November 18–19, while the APEC CEO Summit takes place on November 17–18. There are also meetings of senior officials and business representatives in the days leading up to them.
The leaders’ meeting brings the government side together. The CEO Summit provides a separate setting for business discussions, with topics including regional trade, connectivity, AI, and sustainable development.
We will have to wait until the meetings finish to see the final announcements. The agenda tells us what they are working on; it doesn’t mean every proposal has already been agreed.
Why is Shenzhen making such a big effort?
China is hosting APEC for the third time, and for Shenzhen, this is also an opportunity to show people the city as it is today.
Having government leaders and business representatives come here gives the city an opportunity to make that impression in person. They will see the infrastructure, the businesses, and the pace of development for themselves.
And when you look at the emphasis on technology, international trade, and innovation, Shenzhen seems a very fitting place to have these discussions.
For those of us running businesses here, I think that visibility matters. People may arrive for a meeting, but they also leave with their own impression of Shenzhen—and perhaps a better understanding of the opportunities here.
Who will be coming?
This is where it becomes particularly interesting. Xi Jinping, Donald Trump, and Vladimir Putin are all expected to be in Shenzhen for APEC, based on the announcements and preparations reported so far.
There has even been discussion of a possible meeting between the three of them. That hasn’t been confirmed, so we’ll have to wait and see what actually happens.
Other leaders who have publicly expressed plans to attend include Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, and Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is also expected, according to media reports. Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has indicated that she plans to attend, subject to parliamentary commitments. As of today, November 3, New Zealand’s representation has not yet been confirmed, with its election taking place shortly before the summit.
Individual travel arrangements can still change, but this is shaping up to be quite a gathering.
When you consider who could be sitting around the table, and the government officials, business leaders, and delegations coming with them, you start to understand why Shenzhen is putting so much effort into the preparations. It’s definitely a big deal.
And to think that all this will be happening just across the road from our office.
Watching It Happen From Across the Road
So, a few weeks ago, APEC was just another abbreviation I hadn’t given much thought to. Now it’s outside our office window, affecting our working arrangements, and giving me a reason to learn a bit more about how these economies work together. I’m sure plenty of other people in Shenzhen have found themselves doing the same.
There will probably be a few inconveniences while it’s happening, but I’m looking forward to seeing Shenzhen host an event of this scale. After all the years here, I still enjoy seeing people discover what this city has become. Let’s see what comes out of the meetings, and whether we’ll be watching from our office or working from home!
Eddie | Personal Connect, Shenzhen