China's Shenzhen to host APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in 2026: Xi

Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Saturday that the Chinese city of Shenzhen will host the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in November 2026.

The announcement was made at the APEC chairmanship handover session of the 32nd APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Gyeongju, the Republic of Korea (ROK).

Xi stressed that APEC is the most important economic cooperation mechanism in the Asia-Pacific region, which has made significant contributions to the regional growth and prosperity.

The building of an Asia-Pacific community with a shared future is not only the essential way to achieve long-term development and prosperity in the region, but also a shared vision of all parties, Xi said.

The year of 2026 will be the third time China hosts the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting, Xi noted.

China is willing to take the chance and work with all parties to build an Asia-Pacific community with a shared future, promote growth and prosperity in the region, and focus on pushing forward the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific and practical cooperation in such areas as connectivity, digital economy and artificial intelligence to inject greater vitality and momentum into Asia-Pacific development and deliver more benefits to the people of the region, Xi said.

Shenzhen, Xi noted, is located along the Pacific coast, and it has developed from a small, backward fishing village into a modern international metropolis over the past few decades.

He hailed the city's rise as a miracle in the history of world development created by the Chinese people and also an important window to China's unswerving pursuit of a mutually beneficial and win-win opening-up strategy.

"We look forward to all parties gathering in Shenzhen next year to jointly discuss development plans for the Asia-Pacific region and create a bright future for it," Xi said.

Agreeing with China's hosting philosophy, leaders of the participating economies actively supported China in taking over as the host of the APEC meeting next year.

They also looked forward to the complete success of the APEC's "China Year", which is expected to make contributions to promoting regional cooperation, and fostering common development and prosperity.

The Chinese military has continued to conduct combat readiness patrols in the territorial waters of and airspace over the Huangyan Dao as well as the surrounding areas in the South China Sea since the beginning of December, the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Southern Theater Command said Wednesday.

The PLA Southern Theater Command said it has deployed naval and air forces troops to reinforce patrols and vigilance, further strengthening control and management over the relevant areas.

The move has effectively addressed various infringement and provocations, with an aim to safeguard China's sovereignty and security while maintaining peace and stability in the South China Sea, according to the PLA Southern Theater Command.