Beijing: Chinese President Xi Jinping announced that Shenzhen, a city in China, will host the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in November 2026. The announcement was made during the APEC chairmanship handover session at the 32nd APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting.

According to Namibia Press Agency, Xi emphasized the significance of APEC as the primary economic cooperation mechanism in the Asia-Pacific region, contributing to regional growth. He highlighted the importance of building an Asia-Pacific community with a shared future to achieve long-term development and prosperity, which he described as a shared vision among all parties involved.

Xi noted that 2026 will mark the third occasion that China hosts the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting. He expressed China's willingness to collaborate with all parties to promote growth and prosperity in the region. The focus will be on advancing the Free Trade Area of the Asia Pacific and practical cooperation in areas such as connectivity, digital economy, and artificial intelligence, aiming to boost Asia-Pacific development and bring more benefits to the people in the region.

Shenzhen, located along the Pacific coast, has transformed from a small fishing village into a modern international metropolis. Xi praised the city's development as a remarkable achievement in world history and an important reflection of China's commitment to a mutually beneficial opening-up strategy.

Xi expressed his anticipation for parties to gather in Shenzhen to discuss development plans for the Asia-Pacific region and create a bright future. The leaders of participating economies supported China's role as the host of the APEC meeting and agreed with its hosting philosophy. They also looked forward to the success of the APEC's "China Year," which aims to enhance regional cooperation and foster common development.