Shenzhen – November 05, 2026 -- More than 2,000 participants from government, business and media are expected at the 2026 APEC CEO Summit in Shenzhen on November 17-18, with companies from all 21 APEC economies confirming attendance, according to organizer CCPIT.
The China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), China's national trade promotion body, hosts the summit as a core event of the 2026 APEC China Year. The 33rd APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting follows later in November, also in Shenzhen. Several APEC economy leaders will attend in person to deliver speeches or join panel discussions with Asia-Pacific executives.
U.S. companies form the largest foreign corporate group outside China
U.S. companies account for the largest number of corporate participants among APEC economies other than China. Firms from the UK, France, Germany and Switzerland, all outside the APEC region, have also shown strong interest. CCPIT spokesperson Wang Wenshuai said the summit "will turn these expectations into concrete partnerships across the region."
Chinese companies are also participating, with a lineup that includes many industry leaders. CCPIT notes that since the Beijing APEC meeting 12 years ago, Chinese companies' global influence has risen and their position in global industrial and supply chains has improved.
Agenda targets free trade area, AI and digital economy
Leaders of APEC economies, heads of international organizations and executives of Chinese and foreign companies will discuss the proposed Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific, regional connectivity, artificial intelligence, the digital economy, sustainable development and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. The region's digital and green transition is also on the agenda.
Host city Shenzhen is part of the Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Guangzhou innovation cluster, ranked the world's top innovation cluster in the WIPO Global Innovation Index for two consecutive years. The opportunities in China's 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) are drawing attention from the global business community.
ABAC convenes in Shenzhen November 14-16 after 14 outcome documents
The APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC), the channel through which the regional business community advises APEC leaders, has held three meetings this year in Jakarta, Mexico City and Bangkok. Those meetings produced 14 outcome documents, including two statements supporting the proposed Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific and regional connectivity.
ABAC's fourth meeting runs November 14-16 in Shenzhen under the theme "Openness, Connectivity, Synergy." It will cover regional economic integration, sustainable development, connectivity and digital innovation, review the year's achievements and set priorities for next year.
Organizers to release APEC CEO Summit Shenzhen Initiative 2026
Drawing on ABAC's policy recommendations and the summit's discussions, organizers will join the Asia-Pacific business community in releasing the APEC CEO Summit Shenzhen Initiative 2026. The document will state the business community's commitment to openness, connectivity, innovation and regional cooperation.