Shenzhen has been selected as the host city for the 33rd Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Meeting in 2026. By the end of 2025, the city had received around 450 overseas delegations, including heads of state or government, deputy leaders, and ministerial-level officials.

These milestones underscore the significant progress Shenzhen has made in supporting China’s broader diplomatic framework, said Cao Saixian, president of the Shenzhen People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, at the association’s annual meeting held Friday at the BGI International Convention Center in Yantian District.

“Shenzhen will assume a more strategic role in serving national development and demonstrating China’s commitment to participating in global governance,” Cao said.

She also reviewed Shenzhen’s achievements in global capacity building from the perspectives of building an international metropolis, socioeconomic development and people-to-people exchanges, citing measures such as the issuance of a two-year action plan in February to accelerate the development of Shenzhen into a modern international metropolis, overseas business promotion delegations led by city officials, and the establishment of friendly exchange relations between Shenzhen and its international counterparts.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the European Union (EU). The meeting featured the China–Europe Innovation Cooperation Forum, where representatives from the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China, the Shenzhen Sino-Italian Trade Promotion Association, BGI Group, Shenzhen Polytechnic University and the Shenzhen International Low Carbon Forum Development Center shared concrete practices and valuable insights.

Klaus Zenkel, former vice president of the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China, said he saw “a new chapter of innovation and win-win partnership” emerging between Shenzhen and the EU. He expressed the hope that European enterprises would seize the opportunity to showcase their expertise in areas such as green technologies, advanced manufacturing and digital security, connect with leading Shenzhen companies, and explore new partnerships.

Mario Pavone, president of the Shenzhen Sino-Italian Trade Promotion Association, addressed the forum in fluent Chinese. He introduced his company, China Europe Africa Trade Promotion Co., Ltd., which supports Chinese enterprises in expanding overseas and assists foreign companies in accessing the Chinese market.

On the sidelines of the meeting, participants visited the BGI global headquarters and Enshang Wetland Park, and experienced the country’s first 360-degree fully immersive ultra-high-definition LED digital art space, developed by Shenzhen-based companies Chua and Wuying Cultural Industry Development Co., Ltd.