In anticipation of the 2026 APEC summit hosted by Shenzhen, Guangdong province is putting its cutting-edge technology on full display, featuring leading firms like BYD, DJI, Tencent, Honor, and Vivo to underline its role as a key innovation hub in the Asia-Pacific region.
- Guangdong exhibits BYD electric cars and DJI drones to global media.
- Province’s trade with APEC economies rose 21% in first half of 2026.
- Shenzhen prepares to host APEC leaders’ summit for the third time in China.
What happened
Ahead of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit scheduled for November 18-19, 2026, Guangdong province hosted the Asia-Pacific Media Forum where it showcased a range of high-tech products from regional leaders like BYD, DJI, Tencent, Honor, and Vivo. The event attracted substantial media attention showcasing electric vehicles, drones, artificial intelligence applications, and smart electronics.
In addition to the forum, media representatives participated in tours across six cities in Guangdong, visiting headquarters and production facilities of key local companies such as BYD, Midea Group, and Oppo. BYD demonstrated rapid EV charging technology and innovative vehicle features, highlighting the province's rapid advancements in new energy and automotive tech ahead of the summit.
Why it matters
Guangdong, leveraging its geographic proximity to Hong Kong and Macau, has emerged as a critical front for China's reform and opening efforts, particularly in high technology and international trade. The province’s trade volume with other APEC economies surged by 21% in the first half of 2026, reaching 3.6 trillion yuan (about US$536.3 billion), representing a significant portion of its total import-export activity.
Hosting the APEC summit in Shenzhen for the third time marks an important moment for the city and province to reinforce their status as major players in the Asia-Pacific economic and technological landscape. The event is expected to foster further collaboration and showcase China’s technological strides to a global audience.
What to watch next
Preparations for the November APEC summit continue as Shenzhen promotes themes like “Shenzhen in action” and “Let’s gather in Shenzhen for a prosperous Asia-Pacific Region.” Attention will be focused on whether the summit facilitates high-profile trilateral meetings between China’s President Xi Jinping, U.S. President Donald Trump, and Russian President Vladimir Putin, potentially impacting regional geopolitics.
Post-summit, observers will also watch how Guangdong’s showcased technologies translate into broader international market influence and economic partnerships within the APEC framework. The outcomes of this summit may shape future cross-border technology cooperation and trade flows in the Asia-Pacific region.