South China is a land where towering kapok trees rise above vast stretches of mangroves. In just 99 days, Shenzhen will welcome the 33rd APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting. This will mark the third time China has hosted APEC, and the first in 12 years.
"Located on the Pacific coast, Shenzhen has transformed over the past several decades from an underdeveloped fishing village into a modern international metropolis—a miracle in the history of global development created by the Chinese people, and an important window into China's unwavering commitment to an opening-up, mutual benefit, and win-win cooperation. I look forward to welcoming all parties to Shenzhen next year, where we can work together to chart a course for Asia-Pacific development and build a brighter future for the region." On November 1, 2025, President Xi Jinping extended this invitation to the world.
As thehost city of APEC 2026, Shenzhen is deepening economic and trade cooperation across the Asia-Pacific, strengthening the logistics, trade, and industrial links that connect economies throughout the region, and expanding two-way trade and investment. By embracing deeper regional economic integration, the city is positioning itself as a leading gateway for high-standard opening-up.
On Shenzhen's eastern coast, YANTIAN stands at the intersection of China's vast manufacturing heartland and the global marketplace. Here, ancient trading routes meet modern maritime networks. Through this gateway to the world, the three APEC priorities—Openness, Innovation, and Cooperation—are not simply ideals, but a living force shaping the future of the Asia-Pacific.
The Window—and the Answer
A Connection That Reaches Across Mountains and Seas
A port is a physical gateway connecting a region to the world. And YANTIAN is one of the busiest and most efficient gateways linking China with global markets. Yet a gateway is only the beginning. Beyond it lies the answer: cherries picked in Chile make their way to China; tablets made in Shenzhen are precisely packed by robotic arms; and cargoes cross thousands of miles of mountains and seas before arriving at our tables. What may seem like the most ordinary moments of everyday life are made possible by an extraordinary network of connections spanning continents and oceans.
Who keeps this vast network moving? YANTIAN, with its resilient, efficient, and sustainable offerings. As global supply chains navigate growing uncertainty, YANTIAN offers its own answer—not in words, but in the precision, efficiency, and resilience of its operations.
Why YANTIAN?
The numbers speak for themselves.
🔹 One of the world's largest single container terminals
🔸 Handles approximately half of Shenzhen's foreign trade
🔹 Handles more than one-third of Guangdong's foreign trade
🔸 Handles more than one-quarter of China's export cargo to the United States
🔹 Connects to markets around the world through more than 100 shipping services every week, including 53 direct services to APEC member economies
🔸 Since the beginning of this year, 11 new international services connecting YANTIAN with APEC economies have been launched, linking directly to key ports such as Jakarta and Surabaya in Indonesia, and Laem Chabang in Thailand.
Customs data tells an even bigger story. In the first five months of this year, imports and exports between Chinese mainland and other APEC economies through YANTIAN approached CNY400 billion, accounting for half of the port's total import and export value. Exports of electromechanical products grew by more than 7%, while high-value-added and low-carbon products are emerging as increasingly important drivers of trade.
A vast maritime expressway network spanning the Asia-Pacific and reaching markets around the world is taking shape. YANTIAN continues to strengthen this maritime bridge, connecting APEC member economies with the Greater Bay Area through efficient and seamless trade links.
For nearly 33 years, YANTIAN has been a pioneer in Shenzhen–Hong Kong cooperation, staying true to its original mission: "Anchored in YANTIAN, Partnering Shenzhen and Hong Kong, Extending Services Through China, and Connecting Across the Globe.” Looking ahead, YANTIAN will continue to strengthen the resilience and security of China’s supply chains, deepen economic and trade cooperation across APEC economies, help safeguard the stability and smooth flow of global industrial and supply chains, and support the high-quality development of foreign trade.
99 days to APEC 2026. The scroll is unfolding. The answer is clear. YANTIAN, the bridge connecting China with the world.