He Lifeng Addresses 4Th APEC Business Advisory Council Meeting in Shenzhen
Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng addressed the fourth meeting of the APEC Business Advisory Council in Shenzhen on Saturday, setting the stage for the upcoming leaders’ summit.
The 33rd APEC Economic Leaders‘ Meeting will soon convene in the southern Chinese metropolis, according to China Daily. He, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, told delegates that the gathering will set the direction and pool strength for regional cooperation.
He urged the council to carry forward a pioneering and open entrepreneurial spirit. The official expressed hope that the advisory body would help build an Asia-Pacific community and contribute to innovation-driven development and regional connectivity.
The broader APEC events draw significant international attention as leaders prepare for high-level talks. Chinese President Xi Jinping will lead the summit scheduled for November 18-19, VOI.ID reported. The meetings operate under the theme “Building an Asia-Pacific Community to Prosper Together.”
The 33rd APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting will be held in Shenzhen from November 18 to 19 under the theme “Building an Asia-Pacific Community to Prosper Together.” President Xi Jinping will chair the meeting and deliver remarks. The APEC CEO Summit will be held in Shenzhen from… pic.twitter.com/UZqPc4ZFIR
Shenzhen Trade Ties
Shenzhen’s imports and exports with other APEC economies reached 3.23 trillion yuan, equivalent to $484.2 billion, in the first three quarters of the year, Indovizka.com reported. Shenzhen Customs figures show this marks a 40 percent year-on-year increase, representing the highest volume among mainland Chinese cities.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning outlined expectations for the upcoming formal sessions. Officials aim to reach consensus on the APEC Shenzhen Leaders’ Declaration and secure tangible results in digital economy, artificial intelligence, and trade connectivity.
“We hope to build further consensus and agree on the APEC Shenzhen Leaders’ Declaration among all member economies, as well as achieve tangible results in key areas such as trade, connectivity, digital economy, artificial intelligence, and others,” Mao Ning told a press briefing in Beijing.
Regional preparation involves targeted regulatory alignment. The Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Cooperation Zone is working to translate summit dividends into permanent cooperation mechanisms.
Logistics Expansion
Supply chains remain a central pillar for regional integration. Twenty 5A-level logistics enterprises had established headquarters in Qianhai by September, accounting for 47.6 percent of Shenzhen’s total, according to local authorities.
From a small fishing village to a global economic powerhouse in just over 40 years. Now, #Shenzhen welcomes #APEC2026 with open arms! ✨ pic.twitter.com/hxWYT3k5Zq
Long supply chains, fragmented information, and opaque compliance thresholds historically challenged firms entering the market.
“For logistics enterprises, the biggest pain points in expanding into the Asia-Pacific market used to be ‘long supply chains, fragmented information, and opaque compliance thresholds,'” said Zhang Hongyang, Chairman of FOR.U International Logistics Group.
Qianhai has partnered with Shenzhen Customs and the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department of Hong Kong to streamline technical standards for home appliances. Mutual recognition of these technical benchmarks aims to simplify cross-border trade.
The 33rd #APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting will be held in #Shenzhen from November 18 to 19 under the theme “Building an Asia-Pacific Community to Prosper Together.” President Xi Jinping will chair the meeting and deliver remarks. The APEC CEO Summit will be held in Shenzhen from… pic.twitter.com/Y2IW8pkRTZ
Global Participation
The Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that President Prabowo Subianto will attend the meetings in Shenzhen.
Indonesia intends to raise strategic issues concerning national resilience, multilateralism, and energy security. Santo Darmosumarto, Director General of Asia Pacific and Africa at the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, indicated that the delegation will emphasize maintaining positive geopolitical conditions to support sustainable economic growth.
Shenzhen SPARO Technology, a firm specializing in aerial intelligence, utilizes local business platforms to connect with international markets.
“The ‘Qianhai + Hong Kong’ combination empowers enterprises to coordinate market engagement and cross-border operations,” said Yin Qie, a company representative.
The firm plans to use the APEC platform to showcase Chinese innovations in autonomous flight and expand client matchmaking.
After 12 years, China is once again hosting APEC. We have had a fruitful APEC “China Year” so far. Together with other member economies of APEC, China has successfully held over 300 meetings and events, including the APEC senior officials’ meetings, 10 ministerial meetings on… pic.twitter.com/eVcNlCBuBM
The formal APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting opens in Shenzhen on November 18.
Regional Supply Chains
Growing trade and investment ties are actively supporting local manufacturing, employment, and supply networks across regional partners.
“Prosperity was built by crossing lines, not guarding them,” a professor warned regarding the risks of bloc confrontation forcing trading partners to choose sides.