APEC CEO Summit 2026: Xi Jinping and 11 Leaders to Attend

Chinese President Xi Jinping and leaders from 11 other Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) economies will attend the APEC CEO Summit 2026 in Shenzhen, China, from November 17 to 18. The China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) announced the participation details on Sunday, November 15, as preparations for the major regional business gathering entered their final stage.

The summit will bring together political leaders, business executives and representatives of major international companies at a time when the Asia-Pacific region faces significant questions over trade, technology, supply chains and economic security. Xi is scheduled to attend the opening ceremony and deliver a keynote address.

The event is part of China’s broader programme as host of APEC in 2026. It will take place immediately before the 33rd APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting, also scheduled in Shenzhen, making the Chinese technology and manufacturing hub a centre of regional diplomatic and economic activity this week.

Which Leaders Will Attend the APEC CEO Summit 2026?

According to CCPIT Vice Chairperson Li Qingshuang, 12 leaders representing APEC economies will participate in the summit. Alongside Chinese President Xi Jinping, the announced participants include leaders from:

• Australia
• Canada
• Chile
• Hong Kong, China
• Indonesia
• South Korea
• Malaysia
• Mexico
• Russia
• Thailand
• Vietnam

The leaders are expected to deliver speeches or remarks and participate in thematic discussions during the two-day gathering. Their presence gives the CEO Summit a significant political dimension alongside its business-focused programme.

Hong Kong participates in APEC as a separate member economy under the name Hong Kong, China. Its inclusion in the announced list reflects APEC’s structure, which brings together economies rather than exclusively sovereign states.

The participation announcement also highlights the broad geographical reach of the gathering. The economies represented span North and South America, East and Southeast Asia, and the wider Pacific region.

When and Where Will the Shenzhen APEC CEO Summit Take Place?

The APEC CEO Summit 2026 is scheduled for November 17 and 18 at the Qianhai International Convention Center in Shenzhen, Guangdong Province. The main programme will take place at the convention centre’s Grand Hall.

A welcome reception is scheduled for November 16 at MGM Shenzhen Prince Bay, ahead of the formal two-day summit. The event is being organised by the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, China’s national trade promotion organisation.

The summit will be held under the theme “To Prosper and Win the Future Together.” Its programme is designed to encourage dialogue between government leaders and business representatives on opportunities and challenges shaping the Asia-Pacific economy.

China is also hosting the 33rd APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Shenzhen on November 18 and 19. The two gatherings are closely connected, although the CEO Summit focuses more directly on business engagement, investment and economic cooperation.

Major Business and Economic Issues on the Agenda

The summit is expected to address several issues that are becoming increasingly important to governments and companies across the Pacific region. These include regional trade integration, investment, artificial intelligence, digital transformation, infrastructure connectivity and sustainable development.

Regional Trade and Investment

Trade and investment are central to APEC’s wider economic agenda. Businesses operating across the region depend on predictable trade arrangements, efficient logistics networks and access to international markets.

One major subject is the development of the proposed Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP). The initiative seeks to explore ways of strengthening economic integration across APEC economies and reducing barriers to trade and investment.

Although the proposal remains a long-term regional objective rather than an established free trade agreement, discussions around it could help identify areas where member economies can improve cooperation.

For companies, greater regional connectivity could create opportunities to expand exports, diversify suppliers and develop cross-border partnerships. Governments, meanwhile, face the challenge of balancing economic integration with domestic industrial priorities and national security concerns.

Artificial Intelligence and the Digital Economy

Artificial intelligence is another major issue expected to feature in discussions. The technology is changing manufacturing, financial services, logistics, healthcare and other industries across the Asia-Pacific region.

Countries are competing to attract investment in AI research, computing infrastructure, semiconductor manufacturing and digital services. At the same time, policymakers are considering questions involving data protection, technology standards, workforce changes and the responsible use of AI.

Shenzhen provides a relevant setting for these discussions because of its role as one of China’s major technology and manufacturing centres. The city is home to a large ecosystem of technology companies, electronics manufacturers and innovation-focused businesses.

For participating executives, the summit offers an opportunity to examine how AI could influence productivity, industrial development and international competition. Discussions may also help identify areas for cooperation in digital infrastructure and technology development.

Connectivity and Sustainable Development

Infrastructure connectivity is another important part of the APEC economic agenda. Efficient ports, airports, rail networks, digital infrastructure and cross-border logistics systems are essential for trade across the Pacific.

Improving connectivity can help businesses reduce transportation costs, access new markets and make supply chains more resilient. It can also support smaller economies and companies that face greater difficulties participating in international trade.

Sustainable development and green economic growth are expected to feature alongside these issues. Governments and businesses are under growing pressure to improve energy efficiency, reduce emissions and invest in cleaner technologies while maintaining economic growth.

More Than 2,000 Participants Expected at the Summit

The APEC CEO Summit is expected to attract more than 2,000 participants from government, business and media organisations, according to information released by the organisers. Business representatives from all 21 APEC member economies are expected to take part.

Companies from outside the APEC region have also expressed interest in attending. Businesses from countries including the United Kingdom, France and Germany have submitted applications to participate.

Major international companies, including Google, Boeing and UBS, have been among the organisations identified in reports on preparations for the gathering. The participation of large multinational businesses reflects the summit’s role as a platform for connecting policymakers with companies operating across international markets.

According to CCPIT information reported by Chinese media, representatives of 115 Fortune Global 500 companies are also expected to attend. The United States has the largest number of participating companies among foreign economies, accounting for nearly one-fifth of the total.

The expected attendance suggests that the event is intended to extend beyond formal speeches and diplomatic meetings. Business leaders will have opportunities to discuss investment, technology partnerships and commercial cooperation with counterparts from different economies.

Why Shenzhen Was Chosen to Host the APEC Summit

Shenzhen’s selection as the host city reflects its importance in China’s economic transformation. Once a relatively small settlement, the city developed into one of the country’s leading centres for manufacturing, technology, exports and private-sector innovation.

Its location in Guangdong Province places it within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, an economic region connecting major cities and business centres in southern China. The area plays an important role in international trade, advanced manufacturing, finance and technology development.

Shenzhen is particularly associated with electronics, telecommunications, digital technology and advanced industrial production. Its business environment makes it a relevant location for discussions about innovation, investment and the future of regional supply chains.

Hosting APEC also gives China an opportunity to present its economic development model and promote its role in regional cooperation. The gathering allows international business representatives to engage directly with Chinese officials and companies while examining investment opportunities in the wider Asia-Pacific market.

China is hosting APEC for the third time in 2026, following earlier host years in 2001 and 2014. The country has organised hundreds of events as part of its broader APEC China Year programme.

How the CEO Summit Connects With the APEC Leaders’ Meeting

The CEO Summit is an important business component of APEC Economic Leaders’ Week, but it is distinct from the formal meeting of APEC’s economic leaders.

The CEO Summit, scheduled for November 17-18, focuses on discussions between political leaders and the private sector. It provides an opportunity for business executives to communicate their concerns, share investment priorities and discuss the economic environment affecting companies across the region.

The 33rd APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting will follow on November 18-19 under the theme “Building an Asia-Pacific Community to Prosper Together.” Xi Jinping will chair the leaders’ meeting and deliver remarks.

The two events will overlap on November 18, bringing business and government discussions together in Shenzhen. Xi is also expected to hold a welcome banquet for participating leaders and representatives and conduct bilateral meetings with foreign leaders on the sidelines of the programme.

APEC operates through voluntary cooperation and consensus among its member economies. Its commitments are generally non-binding, meaning the forum does not function like a regional government or a conventional treaty-based trade bloc.

Nevertheless, its meetings provide an important channel for discussing shared economic priorities and building relationships between governments and businesses.

Why the 2026 APEC Gathering Matters for the Asia-Pacific Region

The Asia-Pacific is one of the world’s most important centres of manufacturing, trade, investment and technological development. Decisions and economic trends across the region affect global supply chains, energy markets, consumer demand and international business operations.

APEC’s 21 member economies collectively account for approximately 62 per cent of global gross domestic product and around half of world trade. This gives the forum considerable economic significance despite its non-binding decision-making structure.

The Shenzhen summit comes as governments and companies navigate trade tensions, changing supply chains, competition over advanced technologies and uncertainty in the Global Economy. Artificial intelligence and semiconductor production are particularly important because they influence both commercial competitiveness and national economic strategies.

For developing economies, regional cooperation can help attract investment, improve infrastructure and expand access to international markets. For established industrial economies, discussions can support efforts to strengthen supply chains and maintain access to emerging markets.

The gathering also offers businesses a chance to engage with policymakers on issues that directly affect their operations. These include trade regulations, digital standards, investment conditions, sustainability requirements and cross-border movement of goods and services.

Will India Participate in the APEC CEO Summit?

India is not among the 21 member economies of APEC and therefore is not included in the official list of participating APEC economy leaders announced for the Shenzhen CEO Summit.

India has previously expressed interest in joining the forum, but it has not become a member. Its absence is notable given the country’s growing role in global manufacturing, technology services, trade and regional economic discussions.

APEC membership includes economies from across the Pacific, including the United States, China, Japan, Russia, Australia, Canada and several Southeast Asian and Latin American participants. The forum also includes Hong Kong, China, and Chinese Taipei as separate member economies.

Although India is outside the grouping, developments in APEC can still have economic implications for Indian businesses. Changes in regional trade patterns, investment flows, technology partnerships and supply chains can influence companies operating in India and those exporting to Asia-Pacific markets.

What to Watch as the Shenzhen Summit Begins

With the CEO Summit beginning on November 17, attention will focus on the speeches by participating leaders, discussions involving business executives and the priorities emerging from the two-day programme.

Xi Jinping’s keynote address is expected to be a central moment of the opening ceremony. His remarks will provide an indication of China’s priorities for regional economic cooperation during its APEC host year.

Other important areas to watch include proposals for improving regional trade, cooperation on artificial intelligence, investment in digital infrastructure and the role of businesses in sustainable development.

The subsequent APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting will provide a separate platform for governments to discuss broader regional priorities. Any consensus emerging from the leaders’ discussions could shape the direction of cooperation among member economies in the coming years.

The APEC CEO Summit 2026 is therefore more than a gathering of business executives. With Xi Jinping and leaders from 11 other APEC economies expected in Shenzhen, the event will bring political and commercial priorities together at a time of significant change in the global economy.