APEC Secretariat visits Shenzhen's Nanshan for 'Tech for People' day

Overview

On May 6, 2026, the APEC China 2026 "Tech for People" Nanshan Day was held in Shenzhen's Nanshan District, attended by a high-level delegation from the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Secretariat. According to a report on the Shenzhen government website on May 7, it was the first time the Secretariat's core team had visited Shenzhen for a district-level innovation event.

The delegation, which included Eduardo Pedrosa, executive director of the APEC Secretariat, visited Nanshan as part of a multi-day trip to Shenzhen. Government officials, international start-ups, mentors and foreign media also attended the event.

Background

China holds the APEC chair in 2026, and Shenzhen is due to host the 33rd APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in November. In the run-up, the city has hosted a series of related meetings and exchanges. On May 7, the first APEC Study Centers Consortium Youth Scholars Forum, organised by the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen and the APEC Study Center of Nankai University, also opened in Shenzhen, bringing together participants from 13 economies.

Nanshan is Shenzhen's innovation heartland, home to technology companies such as DJI and Tencent as well as many research institutes. The event was intended to present the district's industrial clusters and start-up ecosystem to the Asia-Pacific region.

Key points

• Site visits: The delegation toured the Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and drone maker DJI, which is headquartered in Nanshan. At DJI, Pedrosa examined an architectural model.
• Hands-on technology: A Secretariat communications official tried out an infrared laser healthcare device, and the delegation was also introduced to a medical technology project.
• Co-creation initiative: The "Tech for People" Asia-Pacific Youth Nanshan Global Co-Creation Initiative was launched. It invites young people from across the Asia-Pacific, international creators and foreign journalists to document innovation projects in Nanshan through video, writing and design. Selected works will be featured on Shenzhen's official digital city image platform.
• Roadshow: Seven international teams presented projects in advanced materials, smart hardware, medical technology and digital innovation.
• Remarks: Pedrosa praised Nanshan's support for youth entrepreneurship and cross-border collaboration, saying the event could help attract more young innovators to Shenzhen and connect the region with global markets.

Speaking on another occasion, Pedrosa noted that APEC has grown from 12 to 21 member economies, which together account for about 37% of the world's population and roughly 61% of global GDP.

What it means for Japan–Shenzhen exchange

Japan is one of APEC's founding members, and the series of events leading up to the leaders' meeting in Shenzhen may give Japanese companies and researchers an opportunity to learn more about the city's innovation environment. The report does not mention Japanese participation, but the fields on show in Nanshan, such as drones, medical devices and smart hardware, are also areas in which Japanese companies are strong.

The co-creation initiative, which asks young people and creators to tell the story of local innovation, is attracting attention as a new form of cross-border exchange between people. For Shenzhen start-ups, the APEC framework may also widen contact with overseas investors and partners. APEC has long worked on areas such as easier travel for business people and the digital economy, so the direction of discussions ahead of the leaders' meeting is also drawing interest. Whether Nanshan's technology companies and research institutes can use the occasion to expand their international networks remains to be seen.

Outlook

The 33rd APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting is scheduled to take place in Shenzhen in November 2026. Further related meetings and exchanges are expected before then, but details such as when the co-creation works will be published have not been announced.

From the Association

The Association will continue to follow Shenzhen's international exchanges, including APEC-related events. We will keep working to create opportunities for companies, researchers and young people from Japan and Shenzhen to get to know one another.