THIS November, Shenzhen will host the 33rd APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting, marking the third time a Chinese city has held this prestigious international event, following Shanghai in 2001 and Beijing in 2014. Over the past 25 years, APEC has navigated the complexities of regional cooperation, serving as a testament to China’s steadfast commitment to the prosperity of the Asia-Pacific.

During a recent lecture at Shenzhen News Group, Gao Zhikai — chair professor at Soochow University, visiting professor at Shenzhen University, and vice president of the Center for China and Globalization — shared his insights on the significance of the upcoming summit.

The timing of the APEC “China Year” is significant as it aligns with the start of China’s 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030). Gao described this as a “rare historical opportunity” for Shenzhen to showcase its transformation.

“For much of its history, Shenzhen was an obscure fishing village. It has thrived through reform and opening up,” Gao remarked. Recalling his first visit in 1984 via the Luohu Checkpoint, he noted, “Back then, Shenzhen was essentially one giant construction site, while Hong Kong was a bustling metropolis.” In just four decades, Shenzhen has surpassed Hong Kong in both population and economic scale, while emerging as a premier global innovation hub.

Gao described hosting APEC as a profound source of pride for the architects of the “Shenzhen Miracle.” The city’s trajectory aligns with APEC’s goals of economic vitality and public well-being, and underscores a universal truth — the centrality of peaceful development. “Only this path allows a nation or city to prosper, eliminate poverty, and build a robust, modern economy.”

He emphasized that Shenzhen’s role in the summit is to tell the story of Chinese modernization.

Gao characterized APEC as an inclusive platform, uniting Pacific Rim economies based on their shared geography. Rooted in pragmatism and a focus on development, the organization facilitates participation without ideological barriers or exclusionary politics.

“APEC adheres to openness, pragmatism, cooperation, and development — it represents the right path for Asia-Pacific cooperation.” Gao said. He urged Shenzhen to champion the ideals of openness, inclusiveness, and mutual benefit, offering the city’s success as a model for international cooperation.

Gao suggested that Shenzhen institutionalize its long-term relationship with APEC in order to build a lasting “Shenzhen APEC Legacy.” To that end, he proposed several concrete initiatives: naming an “APEC Avenue” or “APEC Tower,” establishing a dedicated APEC research institute and a service center for APEC stakeholders, and opening a museum to document the history and milestones of APEC summits.

“Shenzhen should match its unique strengths with the evolving needs of APEC,” Gao concluded. “By forging a dynamic link between the city and the organization, Shenzhen will not only burnish its international image but also accelerate its own urban transformation. For Shenzhen, the best is yet to come.”(Li Jing)