Guangzhou to Host First 2026 APEC Senior Officials' Meeting, Kicking Off 'China Year'

Inaugural APEC Gathering in Guangzhou

Guangzhou, China, is preparing to host the first Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Senior Officials' Meeting (SOM) and associated events from February 1 to 10, 2026. This significant assembly officially inaugurates the APEC 'China Year,' setting the stage for a series of high-level discussions and collaborations throughout the year. China, as the host of the 33rd APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting, will leverage this initial gathering to advance its agenda for regional economic integration and cooperation.

Focus on an Asia-Pacific Community

The overarching theme for the 2026 APEC 'China Year' is 'Building an Asia-Pacific Community to Prosper Together.' Discussions during the Guangzhou SOM will center on three key priorities: openness, innovation, and cooperation. These pillars are intended to guide efforts in fully launching cooperation across various sectors and mechanisms, fostering in-depth discussions on specific collaborations, and accumulating outcomes that will inform the Economic Leaders' Meeting scheduled for November.

Meeting Objectives and Participation

APEC Senior Officials' Meetings are crucial consultative mechanisms, typically held four to five times annually, serving as the primary channel for preparing deliverables for the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting. The Guangzhou SOM is expected to draw approximately 1,000 delegates, including representatives from APEC member economies, the APEC Secretariat, and the APEC Business Advisory Council. Over 50 related events are slated to take place during the ten-day period, facilitating comprehensive engagement on the year's agenda.

Guangzhou's Role and Broader Context

Guangzhou, a city renowned for its rich history and its role as a vital gateway for China's opening up, is making extensive preparations to ensure the success of the meeting. Vice Mayor Hu Hao highlighted the city's comprehensive arrangements, which include organizing site visits to showcase Guangzhou's advancements in technological innovation and green development. This initial SOM in Guangzhou will be followed by additional Senior Officials' Meetings in Shanghai and Dalian in May and August, respectively, leading up to the main APEC Economic Leaders' Week in Shenzhen in November 2026. Chinese President Xi Jinping announced China's hosting of APEC 2026 in November 2024, emphasizing the nation's commitment to uniting Asia-Pacific countries for open economic and trade collaboration.